Monica Lewinsky, the former Bill Clinton White House intern, has recently advocated for mandatory retirement ages for elected officials and a ban on presidential self-pardons. In an opinion piece published by Vanity Fair, Lewinsky discussed the need for these measures in light of recent discussions surrounding the disqualification of individuals who engage in insurrection.
Lewinsky expressed her astonishment that the 14th amendment of the US constitution, which guarantees equal protection under the law, is the sole provision addressing the disqualification of a candidate for such behavior. She questioned why there aren’t more safeguards in place to protect against such misconduct.
As a self-described “constitutional nerd,” Lewinsky delved into her research on amendments and discovered that the most recent one, the 27th amendment, was only passed in 1992. This amendment primarily dealt with congressional raises and did not address the pressing issues at hand. This realization led Lewinsky to conclude that it is high time for constitutional upgrades.
Among Lewinsky’s proposed amendments, a notable one is the explicit ban on presidential self-pardons. Currently, former President Donald Trump is facing multiple criminal charges, and there is a theoretical possibility that he could pardon himself if convicted and re-elected. Lewinsky argues that no one, especially the head of the executive branch, should possess a “get out of jail free” card.
Lewinsky also suggests implementing term limits and a maximum age of service for elected officeholders. She believes that while experience is valuable, there comes a point where it can be overshadowed by mental rigidity and an inability to understand contemporary culture. Lewinsky references the advanced ages of both Trump (77) and President Joe Biden (81) as examples.
Additionally, Lewinsky proposes abandoning the electoral college system, which currently determines presidential elections, in favor of a popular vote. She also supports an amendment that reaffirms women’s reproductive freedom following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade in 2022.
It is worth noting that Clinton faced impeachment due to his affair with Lewinsky when he was 49 and she was 22. The Senate eventually acquitted Clinton of the charges. Since then, Lewinsky has pursued further education and dedicated herself to combatting cyberbullying. She has spoken openly about the public scrutiny and humiliation she experienced during the scandal, emphasizing the need for a societal change in attitudes and treatment of individuals involved in such situations.
Monica Lewinsky’s plea for constitutional upgrades aims to address the deficiencies in the system and protect against potential abuses of power by elected officials. By implementing mandatory retirement ages, banning self-pardons, and introducing additional amendments, Lewinsky believes that the United States can strengthen its democracy and ensure accountability at the highest level of government.
