Maxine Waters pushed back against calls for age limits on elected officials during a Capitol Hill interview, arguing that voters — not age restrictions — should decide who is fit to serve in office.
The 87-year-old congresswoman said politicians should be judged on their “performance and effectiveness” rather than their age. When asked whether even a 100-year-old candidate should be allowed to serve, Waters replied that voters should make that decision through elections.
The conversation also touched on Donald Trump and concerns about aging political leaders, though Waters shifted her criticism toward his leadership rather than discussing age directly.
Waters, who has represented South Los Angeles in Congress for more than three decades, is currently facing a younger primary challenger, Myla Rahman, who argues the district is ready for new leadership and greater generational representation.
The debate reflects a broader national discussion about age, experience, and leadership in American politics as older lawmakers continue to hold many of the country’s highest offices.
