Rahm Emanuel, the former Chicago mayor and previous ambassador to Japan, proposed a bold new policy on Wednesday: a mandatory retirement age of 75 for all federal officials, including the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court. Speaking at a Center for American Progress event, Emanuel, who is currently 66, emphasized the need for this rule across all branches of government, stating, “You’re 75 years old: done."

This proposal, which Emanuel also discussed during a roundtable with POLITICO, would not only affect his potential future in politics but also current leaders. If implemented, it would make Donald Trump, now 79, ineligible for further presidential duties and would have prevented Joe Biden, under whom Emanuel served, from his past term.

Emanuel's proposition comes at a time when the fitness of aging politicians is increasingly questioned. The debate over mental and physical capability of elder statesmen was a central theme in the last presidential cycle, marking a crucial concern for voters. Indeed, polls indicate roughly two-thirds of Americans support implementing age limits for federal positions.

Despite the potential popularity of such measures among the electorate, Emanuel plans to push for legislative action rather than a constitutional amendment—a strategy that might face significant hurdles in Congress where the median age of senators is 64.

The age limit is part of a larger initiative Emanuel is championing, which includes comprehensive ethics, lobbying, and anti-corruption reforms. These reforms aim to tackle issues like gift acceptance and stock trading among federal lawmakers and judges. Aligning with his Democratic roots, Emanuel criticized the current administration for exacerbating corruption, using the phrase “drain the swamp” to articulate his stance against unethical practices in government.

Emanuel’s choice of the age 75 limit may have personal roots; his brother, Ezekiel Emanuel, an oncologist and former White House advisor, famously wrote about hoping to die at 75, a sentiment that Rahm mentioned "drives my brothers crazy."

With his proposal, Emanuel is reigniting a complex debate about age, capability, and governance in the corridors of power in Washington, D.C. As the nation looks towards future elections, the discussion of age limits could very well shape the political landscape and the criteria for public service.