After California Senator Dianne Feinstein’s controversy about her hearing with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey bringing to question her cognitive capabilities, several prominent liberal and leftist parties are calling for her to resign from her position.
Cognitive decline
A New Yorker article written by Jane Myer noted several anonymous sources who were close with Feinstein about her alleged decline. They said, “her short-term memory has grown so poor that she often forgets she has been briefed on a topic.” The individuals added she was sometimes her regular self but at other times was distant and unreachable.
The article reported that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked Feinstein to resign from her position as top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee twice because she had forgotten about their first conversation. Additionally, another Democratic senator’s aide said that despite her capabilities, Feinstein had seen a decline in performance over the last year.
Many people shared the story on several social media platforms on Wednesday night. A lot of people have already criticized Feinstein for her handling of Amy Coney Barrett’s hearings and her perspective on the abolishing of the legislative filibuster. Many commentators have called for the 87-year-old senator to leave Congress.
New York Times opinion writer, Wajahat Ali, posted on Twitter which said, “This is a sad read, but Feinstein needs to graciously retire for the sake of the country.” Adam Best said the senator is no longer fit to represent California after multiple controversies that placed her judgment in question.
A history of greatness
University of California, Irvine law professor Rick Hasen, who is also a CNN contributor, said the time has come for Feinstein to resign from her position. Hasen noted the 87-year-old senator has done great things in Senate but noted the last few years have not been good for her cognitive capabilities, the San Francisco Gate reported.
If Feinstein chooses to step down from her position now or anytime before the 2022 midterms, it will mark the beginning of a series of irregular political situations. California Governor Gavin Newsom would first appoint a new individual to take the senator’s place until the 2022 special election. Additionally, 2022 would also include Newsom being up for re-election.
The one that gets chosen to replace Feinstein in 2022 would only be seated for two years since the senator was re-elected in 2018 and is set to face re-elections in 2024. The 87-year-old senator’s potential resignation would set off a slew of possible outcomes, including the appointment coming from either Newsom or Republican San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
When Schumer asked her to step down, Feinstein was “surprised and upset,” and an anonymous source from within the Senate said she was not aware of the reason behind the calls.
