Former White House Press Secretary and current MSNBC host Jen Psaki expressed disappointment in the Democratic Party's decision to appoint Rep. Gerry Connolly to lead the House Oversight Committee, overlooking Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Psaki argued that the Democrats missed a prime opportunity to showcase a younger, media-savvy representative in a high-profile role.

During her program, "Inside with Jen Psaki," she questioned the choice of Connolly, a seasoned member backed by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, over Ocasio-Cortez. Psaki highlighted the Oversight Committee's significance as a platform with national reach, particularly for countering misinformation, and felt that Ocasio-Cortez would have been a more effective voice. While respecting Pelosi and Connolly, Psaki viewed this decision as a missed chance to learn from the 2024 election results.

The Democratic caucus voted 131-84 in favor of the 74-year-old Connolly over the 35-year-old Ocasio-Cortez. This decision underscores the generational divide within the party, a point emphasized by Fox News' Chad Pergram, who described it as a setback for the younger generation of Democrats. Rep. Dean Phillips, a retiring Democrat, has also been critical of the party's reluctance to promote younger members.

Phillips argued for elevating promising young leaders, warning of the consequences of losing talented individuals to other pursuits. Connolly, however, dismissed the age debate as a media-driven narrative. Other media figures, including MSNBC's Chris Hayes and Joy Reid, also criticized the Democrats' choice, with Hayes calling it "a moment of genuine madness" and Reid pointing to the party's resistance to change.