MSNBC anchor Chris Hayes recently took aim at former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for leveraging her influence to secure Rep. Gerry Connolly's position over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as the top member of the House Oversight Committee. Hayes used this incident to highlight a broader concern regarding older members of Congress maintaining power instead of ceding leadership roles to younger, rising figures within the Democratic Party.

Hayes expressed his disapproval of Pelosi's actions, particularly considering her recent recovery from hip surgery following a fall. He viewed this as a sign of what he termed "genuine madness" within the political landscape.

While acknowledging the possibility of individuals remaining active in their later years, Hayes underscored the inherent risks associated with older politicians holding significant positions, citing examples like the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and President Biden. He urged the Democratic Party to address this concern seriously.

Hayes also mentioned Senator Jeanne Shaheen's potential re-election bid in 2026 at the age of 79. He referenced a Pew poll indicating widespread support for age limits for politicians, emphasizing the overwhelming agreement on this issue despite the current polarized climate. He urged Democrats to heed public opinion and consider term limits.

Echoing Hayes's sentiments, MSNBC host Joy Reid criticized the "gerontocracy" within the Democratic Party for hindering progress and preventing younger, dynamic individuals like AOC from assuming greater responsibilities.