Did a lot of good, but it is time to go...

Reporter witnesses, details uncomfortable Dianne Feinstein memory lapse

Eric Ting

Over the past year, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein has been the subject of several unflattering reports calling her mental acuity into question, and on Tuesday, a reporter from Insider had an interaction with the senator that will do nothing to quell those concerns.

Because of the results of the 2022 midterm elections, the 89-year-old Feinstein is set to become the longest-serving Democratic senator currently in office, and if Senate traditions hold, she would be in line to become the president pro tempore of the Senate. That's a job that places her third in line for the presidency, behind only the vice president and House speaker.

It's also a job that Feinstein took herself out of the running for in October when her office sent a statement to the Washington Post stating that she had no interest. She apparently forgot about that when Insider reporter Brian Metzger asked about it again Tuesday.

"Well, I haven't thought about it, but I'll let you know when I do," Metzger says Feinstein told him.

From there, Metzger detailed an uncomfortable exchange between Feinstein and an unnamed aide he witnessed.

"An aide walking with the senator quickly interjected, telling Insider that Feinstein had 'told a few reporters in the past that she's not thought about it, and has no intention of seeking the position,'" Metzger reported. "'That's what you've told reporters,' the aide said to Feinstein."

According to Metzger, Feinstein told the aide, "I don't know what you're saying," and the aide replied, "You were asked about it over the break, and you put out a statement saying that you had no intention of running for it." Feinstein then reportedly conceded, "OK, well then, I guess it's out."

It's not the first time Insider's congressional reporters have detailed witnessing a Feinstein memory lapse. In September, a reporter from the outlet overheard Feinstein allegedly berating staffers trying to explain a routine Senate vote to her.

Feinstein will be the oldest member of the Senate in January. Her term expires in January 2025, at which point she'll be 91. She has resisted calls to retire before the end of the her term and has not yet said whether she'll seek reelection in November 2024.