Podcast Summary: "Congress Ain’t Gettin’ Any Younger, Folks"

Podcast Information:

• Title: What A Day
• Host/Author: Crooked Media
• Episode: Congress Ain’t Gettin’ Any Younger, Folks
• Release Date: January 7, 2025

Introduction

In the January 7, 2025 episode of What A Day, host Jane Coston delves into significant political developments, prominently featuring Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation and the former leader of the Proud Boys seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. The episode underscores a critical examination of the aging landscape of the U.S. Congress and its broader implications on governance and democracy.

Election Certification and Trump's Victory

The episode opens with a reflection on the smooth certification of the 2024 U.S. election results on January 6th, marking President-elect Donald Trump's victory. This event is juxtaposed against the tumultuous 2020 certification when Trump disputed Joe Biden's win, leading to the January 6th Capitol insurrection.

Jane Coston highlights the ceremonial role of Vice President Kamala Harris during the certification:

Kamala Harris [00:55]: "This announcement of the state of the vote by the President of the Senate shall be deemed a sufficient dispute declaration of the persons elected President and Vice President of the United States."

Coston notes the irony of Harris, who presided over certifying her own loss, now overseeing the affirmation of Trump's presidency.

The Aging Congress and Gerontocracy

A central theme of the episode is the significant age disparity within the U.S. Congress compared to the general population. Jane Coston presents alarming statistics:

• Median Age of Congress: Approximately 70 years
• Median Age of Americans: Approximately 39 years

Notable examples include:

• Republican Senator Mitch McConnell
• Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi
• Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (74)
• Texas Republican Kate Granger (81)

Coston emphasizes that nearly a quarter of Congress members are 70 or older, raising concerns about a gerontocracy—a government dominated by the elderly.

A poignant moment features a remark from a young Republican, Brandon Gill:

Brandon Gill [02:44]: "Young people have seen this country run by an older and older and older generation. And what have we experienced? We've experienced a housing crisis where it's difficult whenever you're graduating high school or graduating college to find affordable housing. We've seen our jobs being taken away from illegal aliens who are coming in wages depressed because we, because of our open borders."

Interview with Ken Klippenstein: Implications of an Aging Legislature

Jane Coston engages in an insightful conversation with Ken Klippenstein, an independent journalist specializing in national security. They explore the multifaceted challenges posed by an aging Congress:

• Access to Classified Information: A RAND Corporation report warned about senior officials living longer due to medical advancements, increasing the risk of dementia and potential security breaches.

• Political Seniority: The traditional deference to seniority impedes the infusion of younger voices and perspectives within legislative processes.

• Health and Competency Concerns: Instances like Nancy Pelosi's hip surgery and Mitch McConnell's health issues highlight the physical limitations of aging lawmakers.

Klippenstein elaborates:

Ken Klippenstein [03:41]: "Gerontocracy, it's derived from Latin, ruled by the elderly and people disagree on what age constitutes too old to be in office. [...] These aren't one-off instances."

Public Opinion and Voter Behavior

The discussion transitions to the role of voters in perpetuating the gerontocracy. Ken Klippenstein suggests that older politicians accrue more power and social capital over time, presenting advantages in elections:

Ken Klippenstein [08:36]: "More time on earth would give you more time to accrue power, social capital, actual capital. And so that's always going to be an advantage."

However, there's an emerging shift in public sentiment, with polls indicating growing unease among Democrats regarding Biden's age:

Ken Klippenstein [10:34]: "I am seeing signs of a shift on the part of public opinion [...] this is something that's percolating, I think, in the general sort of public imagination."

News Highlights

The episode transitions to a series of news briefs:

1. Justin Trudeau's Resignation:

   • Context: Amidst rising inflation and cost of living concerns, Trudeau announces his intention to resign after nearly a decade in office.
   • Public Reaction: Increased pressure from his own party and opposition parties are pushing for a no-confidence vote, potentially triggering a general election.

2. Donald Trump's Legal Challenges:

   • Sentencing Delay Denied: Trump's request to postpone sentencing in his hush money case is denied by Justice Juan Merchan, although he may appeal.
   • Pardon Request: Enrique Tarrio, former Proud Boys chairman convicted of seditious conspiracy, seeks a presidential pardon from Trump. Tarrio's legal team claims his prosecution was for "expressing their freedom of expression."

3. Rudy Giuliani in Contempt:

   • Details: Giuliani is found in contempt of court for failing to provide asset information to defamed Georgia election workers, who have been awarded over $140 million in damages.

4. U.S.-China Cybersecurity Tensions:

   • Incident: A cyberhack on the U.S. Treasury Department by Chinese hackers accessing workstations and unclassified documents.
   • Response: Charges against a Beijing-based cybersecurity company for its alleged role in hacking attacks on U.S. telecommunications infrastructure. Chinese authorities criticize U.S. sanctions, although they are unrelated to the Treasury breach.

Enrique Tarrio's Pardon Request

A significant segment covers Enrique Tarrio's appeal to Donald Trump for a presidential pardon:

Tarrio's Lawyer [18:15]: "The government prosecuted Tarrio and other Proud Boy members for expressing their freedom of expression."

Despite Tarrio not being present in D.C. during the January 6th insurrection, his actions, including burning a Black Lives Matter banner, led to his 22-year federal sentence.

Host's Reflection on Boredom

Towards the episode's conclusion, Jane Coston reflects on modern society's aversion to boredom, drawing inspiration from Chris Hayes's upcoming book, "The Siren's How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource." She discusses the psychological benefits of boredom, such as fostering creativity and self-awareness, contrasting it with the constant digital distractions prevalent today.

Jane Coston [14:36]: "Boredom can offer inspiration, creative urges, and new ideas."

Conclusion

What A Day effectively highlights the pressing issue of an aging Congress and its implications on American democracy. Through engaging discussions and expert insights, particularly from Ken Klippenstein, the episode underscores the necessity for generational renewal in legislative bodies. Coupled with timely news updates, Jane Coston provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current political landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Kamala Harris [00:55]: "This announcement of the state of the vote by the President of the Senate shall be deemed a sufficient dispute declaration of the persons elected President and Vice President of the United States."

• Brandon Gill [02:44]: "Young people have seen this country run by an older and older and older generation. [...] we've experienced a housing crisis [...] jobs being taken away from illegal aliens [...] open borders."

• Ken Klippenstein [03:41]: "Gerontocracy, it's derived from Latin, ruled by the elderly [...] These aren't one-off instances."

• Ken Klippenstein [08:36]: "More time on earth would give you more time to accrue power, social capital, actual capital."

• Ken Klippenstein [10:34]: "I am seeing signs of a shift on the part of public opinion [...] this is something that's percolating, I think, in the general sort of public imagination."

• Jane Coston [14:36]: "Boredom can offer inspiration, creative urges, and new ideas."

Additional Information:

For more insights and detailed reporting, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to What A Day via their favorite podcast platforms or watch episodes on YouTube. The show is supported by Crooked Media's nightly newsletter and offers various resources for staying informed on current events and trends shaping the future.