Former Democratic National Committee chair Donna Brazile penned a tender plea in The Washington Post to Washington, D.C.'s congressional delegate, Eleanor Holmes Norton, to abstain from seeking re-election and clear the way for a new generation of representation for the district in a turbulent time.

Brazile, who previously served as Norton's campaign manager and describes herself as a "dear friend" who sees Norton as a "role model," released her article amid reporting that the 88-year-old delegate, now the oldest member in Congress, has grown too tired to do the duties of her office.

"I’ve known my dear friend Eleanor for 44 years, since I came to Washington after graduating from college and worked with her and other civil rights leaders to win enactment of a federal holiday honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr," she wrote, noting that even though she has no vote on the full floor of Congress, she has achieved numerous policy wins for D.C. including scholarships, homeowner tax credits, and a long list of civil rights victories. Nonetheless, "She is no longer the dynamo she once was ... It’s in her best interest, and the interest of D.C., for her to serve her current term but then end her extraordinary service in Congress and not seek reelection next year."

The fact is, Brazile continued, this is a critical moment when D.C. needs clear-headed, energetic leadership to fight against Trump's attempts to bend the city to submission.

"D.C. is under attack as at no other time in recent history, and we need a new champion to defend us. President Donald Trump is treating the District like a colonial possession he can rule as a dictator, rather than a city governed by leaders who are elected by voters," wrote Brazile. "Trump has sent National Guard members and federal law enforcement officers into D.C. to round up undocumented immigrants — many of whom have jobs and are valued residents of our community ... Washington is a city under occupation."

This year has seen a large number of elder statesmen in both parties, from Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), announce their retirement, said Brazile — all of whom are younger than Norton. Even former President Joe Biden is younger.

"Norton should follow the example of other older elected officials who have retired after many years of service," she concluded. "After doing so much for D.C. for so long, it’s understandable that she wants to remain in Congress. Public service is her life. But no job can last forever, and no person is irreplaceable. As I’ve told her in person, retirement from Congress is the right next chapter for her — and for the District."

Legal experts weighed in Monday night after a federal appeals court dealt President Donald Trump a major loss in his high-profile firing of a Federal Reserve official who was ousted over dubious mortgage fraud claims.

Lisa Cook was fired by Trump from her position as a Federal Reserve governor based on claims that she claimed two properties as primary residences on loan documents to obtain more favorable terms. The administration cited mortgage fraud claims lodged by Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as "cause" for dismissal, which is legally required for a president to remove a Fed governor.

Cook has not been charged with a crime and has denied wrongdoing. New documents show that her disclosures may not have constituted fraud.

On Monday evening, a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. rejected a Justice Department request to pause a judge's order temporarily blocking Cook's firing. As such, Cook can — for now — remain at the Fed ahead of a key policy meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The administration is expected to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court — and legal experts warned the appeals court just set up the high court for a "huge ruling."

Lawrence Hurley‪, senior Supreme Court reporter for NBC News, wrote on Bluesky, "Needless to say, a potentially huge ruling via the Supreme Court's shadow docket now beckons."

Jill Wine-Banks, legal analyst for MSNBC and NBC,‬ wrote on Bluesky, "Good news. Appeals court won’t let Trump fire Lisa Cook ahead of Fed meeting."

Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance wrote on Bluesky, "This may be too quick even for the shadow docket. We shall see."

Zoe Tillman, who writes about law and politics for Bloomberg, wrote on X, "Big tonight: A US appeals court rebuffed President Trump's latest push to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, with the 2-1 ruling coming hours before the Fed is set to meet tomorrow. Watching to see if DOJ makes a last-minute request for SCOTUS to step in.

Amanda Fischer, former SEC chief of staff and adviser in the U.S. House and Senate, wrote on X, "If the Katsas dissent is the playbook for SCOTUS, we’ve basically flattened any difference between for-cause & at will removal. Aka, say hello to a new Fed board with every new President. The WSJ ed board crowd maybe bit off more than they can chew with their legal project."

Politico's Kyle Cheney wrote on X that "Trump's last hope is a quick stay from SCOTUS."

Mehdi Hasan, founder and CEO of news outlet Zeteo, erupted during an interview on Monday night after a former Trump advisor defended some of conservative activist Charlie Kirk's most incendiary statements.

Hasan and Ken Cuccinelli, the former Homeland Security acting deputy secretary during the first Trump administration, clashed on a new episode of "Cuomo" on NewsNation.

Cuccinelli argued that Kirk was killed for sharing his ideas, and called on "everyone to reject violence for political ends."

"That's something Charlie Kirk lived and died for," Cuccinelli said. "People who actually watched him interact with people who disagreed with him...Charlie was incredibly level in how he communicated with people. He was firm. But he never got angry; he didn't call people names. He respected them. He told them he respected them."

His comments didn't sit well with Hasan.

"What Ken just said is not true, that Charlie never called for violence or that Charlie was level-headed," Hasan said. "Charlie called for me to be deported because he didn't like a monologue I did about COVID. He called for Joe Biden to be executed by the death penalty. We can go down the list."

Hasan also noted that Trump uses the same rhetoric that conservatives are saying should be avoided.

"This is a president who has called his enemies scum, vermin, and animals," Hasan said.