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To the editor:
We have seen several political leaders exhibit noticeable cognitive decline in recent years. Senators Diane Feinstein and Mitch McConnell are prime examples, as was President Joe Biden. Many observers say that our current President, Donald Trump, also suffers from age-related mental impairment.
This raises the question – should there be an age limit for public servants? I believe the answer is a resounding, yes.
The mandatory retirement age for most state judges is 70, for commercial airline pilots it is 65, for military officers it is 62 and air traffic controllers must retire by age 56 due to on-the-job stress. According to the National Institutes of Health, using data from a 16-year study of 29,304 patients, two out of three Americans experience cognitive decline by age 70 and the mean ages for the onset of dementia are 83 for women and 79 for men.
The 119th Congress began with 120 members age 70 or older; it will conclude with 140 (assuming all members survive) and 13 members over 80 have announced they will run in 2026. Only 16 percent of the 119th Congress is below 45 years-old.
Four of the nine Supreme Court Justice (Roberts, Sotomayor, Alito and Thomas) are over 70. And, on the state level, the average age of Governors is 61 with 11 of 50 aged 70 or higher and three of the five territorial Governors are 70+.
Given the stakes, should we continue to gamble on a government where as many as 100 congressional members are in mental decline? Or should we demand better by establishing a nationwide mandatory retirement age (perhaps 75 by terms’ end) for all public and civil servants? I believe that time is past due.
Joseph Cannisi
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Valete
Age requirements for leadership are not scientifically valid.
Leadership qualities are assessed through cognitive tests like the PI Cognitive Assessment or Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal, which measure mental agility, critical thinking, problem-solving speed, and learning agility. These tools predict a leader’s ability to process new information and make high-stakes decisions. They are often used alongside behavioral or emotional intelligence (EQ) assessments for a comprehensive profile.
Age is irrelevant to leadership. Competence, commitment, courage, and candor are what truly matter.
Wednesday, April 15 Report this
fcannisi
Mental acuity and leadership skills can be assessed through cognitive testing. Unfortunately, public servants aren't required to take such tests -either before running for office or after holding office for an extended period of time.
If Word Man is proposing a cognitive testing requirement for all political candidates and sitting office holders, I'm in full agreement.
Saturday, April 18 Report this
krell1349
Not true, Trump is showing signs of his age and he is definitely not getting wiser or more competent.
Saturday, April 18 Report this
Valete
Age discrimination is never acceptable.
Currently, there is no legal requirement for a sitting U.S. president to undergo cognitive testing, though it is permissible if the president consents or if the 25th Amendment is formally invoked.
Voluntary: A president may choose to undergo cognitive testing as part of their annual physical exam. For example, President Trump requested and passed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in 2018.
Mandatory: There is currently no law that can force a president to take a cognitive test. Proponents of mandatory testing often cite Section 4 of the 25th Amendment as a potential mechanism for involuntary assessment.
New Legislation: On April 15, 2026, House Democrats led by Rep. Jamie Raskin introduced the Oversight Commission on Presidential Capacity Act. This bill seeks to create a 17-member commission of medical experts and former officials to conduct mandatory exams.
I am in favor of Raskin’s legislation.
Monday, April 20 Report this
fcannisi
A maximum age limit is no more age discrimination than is a minimum age limit. If excluding individuals less than 35 years old from being president isn't discriminatory, neither should excluding individuals over the age of 70.
Monday, April 20 Report this
Valete
Reen’ro
Since you’re comparing apples to oranges, answer two questions.
Explain why a minimum age requirement for presidential service is discrimination.
Explain why a mandatory retirement age for presidential service is not discrimination.
Tuesday, April 21 Report this
fcannisi
Today April 22nd, Georgia Congressman David Scott died in office. He was one of the octogenarians mentioned in the letter's fourth paragraph who planned to run again this year.
Wednesday, April 22 Report this