The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Episode: “Make Them Retire?”
Date: January 22, 2026
Panelists: John Podhoretz, Abe Greenwald, Christine Rosen, Eliana Johnson, Seth Mandel

Overview

This episode centers on the provocative idea of establishing a mandatory retirement age of 75 for all federal officials, as recently suggested by Rahm Emanuel. The hosts discuss the bipartisan appeal — and challenges — of such a constitutional amendment, contextualize it within American politics’ current instability, and debate the broader malaise of “old and corrupt” leadership in Washington. The conversation also veers into related issues like limiting presidential pardon powers, the state of party politics, and how the next wave of populist discontent may reshape upcoming elections.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rahm Emanuel’s Issue Campaign: Retirement at 75

• [02:31–06:31]
  • Rahm Emanuel, launching a longshot primary campaign, proposed a constitutional amendment mandating retirement at 75 for presidents and federal judges.
  • The panel sees clear bipartisan reasons—citing Biden’s age, elderly senators, and 90+ year-old judges still presiding.
  • John Podhoretz: “93 years old. Go home, man. Don’t be a presiding judge in a major American case at the age of 93.” (05:27)
  • The parallel is drawn to the swift enshrinement of presidential term limits after FDR.

2. Bipartisan Appetite for Age Limits

• [06:36–08:49]
  • Abe Greenwald: Aging politicians show a “mad resistance to doing the right thing … there’s clearly this mad resistance to doing the right thing.”
  • Eliana Johnson: Draws analogies to mandatory retirement for commercial pilots; “If you are running the most powerful nation on earth, that should also be the case … there might be significant physical or cognitive challenges.” (07:36)
  • Both see potential bipartisan consensus, as both parties have used their opponent’s age or decline as a political weapon.

3. The Case (and Cautions) Regarding Judges

• [08:49–11:07]
  • Citing historical examples like William O. Douglas (who was “demented” but couldn’t be forced off the Supreme Court), the podcast explores if a hard cap is wise.
  • Podhoretz: The argument against is “let the people have their choice,” but entrenched advantages often keep the elderly in office beyond their effectiveness.

4. Feasibility and Process for Constitutional Amendments

• [11:07–12:57]
  • Amendment process explained: 2/3 of states to propose, 3/4 to ratify.
  • Success is an uphill battle, but issue-centric campaigns could make states the laboratories for change.

5. The Rise of Independents and Political Dissatisfaction

• [25:43–29:22]
  • Growing dissatisfaction with both parties has led to a surge in independent voters.
  • Podhoretz: “The number of people who wish to dissociate themselves from connection to their party, that is their obvious ideological home, is growing and is larger than it has ever been.” (26:00)
  • Younger voters especially are registering as independents; “Too old, too corrupt is a pretty great slogan to capture the dissatisfaction on both sides.” — Eliana Johnson (29:09)

6. Could a Grassroots Movement Succeed?

• Panelists question if a populist, nonpartisan movement for age limits or pardon limits could take root.
• Podhoretz: These reforms could seize public consciousness precisely because people are fed up with dysfunctional parties.

7. Presidential Pardon Powers: A Reform Opportunity

• [22:44–25:43]
  • Proposal: Create a pardon board to limit presidential fiat.
  • Both sides, due to polarization, have a hard time seeing their own misuse of this power.
  • Eliana Johnson: “Negative polarization has made it impossible for Democrats to acknowledge that Joe Biden abused the pardon power.” (23:49)
  • Panel doubts entrenched partisanship would allow reform from within but sees space for independents or moderates.

8. 2028 Elections: Populism, New Faces, and Party Identity Crises

• [31:28–47:47]
  • Both parties face “identity crises” — Democrats between radicals and moderates; Republicans adrift in post-Trump chaos.
  • Next cycles could see “pent up ideological explosion,” with lots of relatively unknowns possibly breaking through.
  • The host speculates an “I hate all of you” outsider (a “Democratic Trump” figure) could emerge.
  • Christine Rosen notes Gavin Newsom is already “working to play down his radicalism,” but warns much of the Democratic field may be “Monets … from far away, it looks okay, but up close it’s a big old mess.” (37:36)
  • Panel explores whether any candidate can diagnose and channel the younger generation’s discontent—unstable employment, AI, housing costs—in the same way Trump did for conservative working-class anxieties.

9. The Role of Outsiders and the Unpredictability of Populist Surges

• [41:15–43:36]
  • Outsiders like LeBron James, The Rock, or Oprah are suggested as potentially viable insurgents.
  • Both parties’ nomination systems are examined; Democrats’ processes less conducive to true outsiders than the 2016 GOP.
  • Who could credibly say, “You’re all old and corrupt, I hate you” — and win?
  • Eliana Johnson adds: “I really am concerned that that would be the only person, a very telegenic former rapper and barista who talks about affordability and is telegenic and can make excellent TikTok videos.” (42:31)

10. Media Segment: The Barry Weiss/New Yorker Profile/CBS News Kerfuffle

• [51:34–61:28]
  • Christine Rosen critiques a New Yorker piece: “Contained no new reporting, but did contain an anonymous smear characterizing Barry [Weiss] as conniving.” (51:34)
  • Panel mocks the establishment media and CBS’s “dumpster fire” status, arguing that bringing in an outsider like Weiss prompts knee-jerk resistance from insular, failing institutions.
  • Podhoretz: “CBS News stank before Barry took it over. … They run a garbage show. … Under what standard are you even any good at what you do?” (59:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Podhoretz: “Rahm Emanuel … proposed that there be a constitutional amendment with a mandated retirement age of 75 years for federal officials … and see if he can surface for public discussion controversial topics that everybody else is going to stay away from.” (04:08)
• Eliana Johnson: "There's no reason ... we do need a constitutional amendment to put a ceiling, just like we have a floor for the age [for the presidency]." (07:14)
• Abe Greenwald: “There’s clearly this mad resistance to doing the right thing.” (06:36)
• Christine Rosen: “I think a lot of these candidates are Monets. From far away, it looks okay, but up close, it’s a big old mess.” (37:36)
• Abe Greenwald: “If I had my druthers, the amendment I’d like to see is: you should have to be 75 to vote.” (29:22) (Panel laughs)
• Podhoretz: “The number of people who wish to dissociate themselves from connection to their party … is larger than it has ever been.” (26:00)
• Eliana Johnson: "Negative polarization has made it impossible for Democrats to acknowledge that Joe Biden abused the pardon power." (23:49)
• Christine Rosen: "Too old, too corrupt is a pretty great slogan to capture the dissatisfaction on both sides." (29:10)
• Podhoretz, on CBS News: “They run a garbage show. They run a garbage network. CBS 60 Minutes is garbage at best... and it loses money and it stinks.” (59:22)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 02:31 — Rahm Emanuel’s speech and the idea for a retirement amendment
• 06:36 — Resistance of politicians to retire; bipartisan appeal/need for age limits
• 08:49 — Examples of judicial incapacity; historic recalcitrance
• 11:07 — Constitutional amendment process and feasibility
• 22:44 — Discussion on limiting presidential pardon power
• 25:43 — Rise of independents and party malaise
• 31:28 — Outlook for 2028: new political landscape and outsider candidates
• 34:00 — Analysis of likely Democratic field; “Monet” candidates
• 41:15 — Could a charismatic non-politician break through?
• 51:34 — Media/Establishment segment: The CBS/Bari Weiss/New Yorker mess

Tone & Style

• Wry, acerbic, and conversational — hosts riff off one another with sarcasm and sharp cultural references.
• Deep knowledge of political history, but always grounded in present frustrations.

Summary for New Listeners

If you missed the episode, here’s what mattered:
The hosts take a smart, biting look at Rahm Emanuel's proposal to retire all politicians at 75, using it to dissect the calcification and disaffection at the heart of DC and both parties. While skeptical of real reform without overcoming entrenched interests and party dysfunction, they see a grassroots appetite for disruption growing among independents and young voters. The show also offers spicy media criticism, with the hosts gleefully skewering the insularity and mediocrity of legacy outlets resisting change. If American politics is headed for a generational reckoning, Commentary believes it’s long overdue — but doubts either party is yet prepared for what comes next.