Trump Started a War With No Allies, No Vote, and No Exit Strategy (w/ Seth Moulton) | How to Fix It

Congressman Moulton argues that the current age of many US Senators (a 'gerontocracy') renders them incapable of understanding and addressing complex modern issues like Artificial Intelligence. He proposes upper age limits for elected office, similar to lower age limits, suggesting a cap around 70-80 years old, citing the Massachusetts judicial system's 70-year limit as a precedent. This, combined with term limits, would ensure fresh perspectives and competence in leadership.

Moulton states, 'I don't think people look at the gerontocracy in the Senate right now and say, 'Okay, they're going to figure out AI.'... I think it's reasonable to talk about an upper age limit as well.' He mentions Massachusetts' 70-year limit for judges and the need to avoid 'Biden, Feinstein, or Ruth Bader Ginsburg situation.'

Moulton asserts that Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) was motivated by 'petty politics' to spite Obama, leading to a disastrous war that has empowered Iranian hardliners and increased their nuclear ambitions. He highlights several negative outcomes: the replacement of a moderate Iranian leader with a hardliner, increased oil prices for Americans, Iran receiving $14 billion by lifting oil sanctions during the war, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane.

Moulton states, 'Trump ripped up that nuclear deal... He did it to spite Obama. It was Obama's deal.' He details, 'people are paying over $4.50 at the pump right now,' and 'Trump gave them [Iran] $14 billion by lifting the oil sanctions on Iran in the middle of the war.' He adds that 'Hegath and Trump have' allowed the Strait of Hormuz to be closed, which 'never been closed before.'

The Trump administration classified all intelligence related to Iran's nuclear sites at an exceptionally high level, restricting access even for members of Congress on relevant committees and senior military planners. This move, according to Moulton, was to conceal the administration's false claims that previous strikes had 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear program, creating a dangerous situation where military operations are planned without complete, accurate information.

Moulton explains, 'they classified everything regarding Iran nuclear sites at some special classification level... so that they cannot do or they won't do their constitutional duty of keeping Congress informed.' He clarifies that 'very senior Pentagon planners will not have access to this intelligence because of how they have reclassified it.'

The US military's use of expensive, advanced missiles (e.g., $3 million each) to counter relatively crude Iranian drones ($50,000 each) during the conflict has significantly depleted critical US missile stocks. This 'magazine depth problem' weakens US deterrence capabilities, particularly against a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan in the Pacific, where these missiles are crucial for defense.

Moulton notes, 'we just did the exact opposite. We shot them all trying to take out very crude or relatively crude Iranian drones and missiles. So every time we shot a $3 million missile to take down a $50,000 drone, that's not a good ratio.' He links this to 'decreased our deterrence in the Pacific, the place where we might actually have World War II if China decides to invade Taiwan.'

Moulton advocates for a national high-speed rail system, citing examples like Morocco's 200 mph train. He connects this to housing affordability by enabling people to live in cheaper areas (e.g., Springfield, MA) and commute quickly to expensive job centers (e.g., Boston, MA). This infrastructure development would also foster economic growth in underserved 'middle America' cities along the routes, reducing regional inequality and encouraging private sector development around stations.

Moulton states, 'Morocco has onethird the GDP of just Massachusetts. And yet they just completed a highspeed rail line... goes almost 200 miles per hour. And that would mean getting from Springfield to Boston in 40 minutes.' He adds, 'it would also be transformative for housing options all across the state' and 'reduces regional inequality.'