U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, United States on August 21, 2024.
Kevin Worm | Reuters
Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat who made history as the first female speaker of the House, said Thursday she will not seek re-election to Congress next year.
Pelosi, 85, has served in the House of Representatives for nearly four decades, leading the passage of major legislation and serving as a leading figure in the opposition to President Donald Trump.
“There is no greater honor for me than to be able to stand on the floor of the House of Representatives and say, ‘I represent the people of San Francisco,'” Pelosi said in a video posted to social media.
“I absolutely loved being your voice in Congress,” she said. “That’s why I want all San Franciscans to know right away: I am not seeking re-election to Congress.”
“I am grateful and look forward to my final year as a proud representative,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi was elected House Minority Leader by her fellow Democrats in 2002, making her the most powerful woman in Congress’ history.
When her party took control of the chamber in 2007, Ms. Pelosi became the first, and so far only, woman to wield the speaker’s gavel.
She held that position until Democrats lost the House majority in 2011. When Democrats regained control of the chamber in 2019, Pelosi served as speaker of the House for the second time.
Pelosi stepped down as Democratic leader after Republicans regained the House majority after the 2022 midterm elections. However, she remained in parliament and was called Honorary Speaker.
New House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (left) (D-Calif.) shakes the gavel after receiving it from Sen. John Boehner (R-Ohio) on January 4, 2007.
Washington Post | Washington Post | Getty Images
“Nancy Pelosi influenced generations,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said on the X-Post late Thursday morning.
“Her courage and belief in San Francisco, California, and our country set the standard for what public service should be. Her influence on this country is unparalleled,” Newsom said.
In response to Pelosi’s retirement announcement, President Trump slammed Pelosi, saying, “It’s a great thing for America.”
“She was evil, corrupt, and only had bad things for our country,” Trump told a Fox News reporter. She was rapidly losing control of the party and it was never coming back. I am so honored that she impeached me twice and failed miserably both times. Nancy Pelosi is a highly overrated politician. ”
Under Pelosi’s leadership, the House passed seismic legislation that would bring about sweeping changes across the country.
Perhaps most notable, she was instrumental in passing the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama’s signature legislative achievement. The health care law has been attempted to be repealed multiple times by Republicans, but is currently at the center of the ongoing government shutdown.
During her second term as speaker, Pelosi clashed publicly with Trump both inside and outside the White House.
During a heated confrontation at a White House meeting over the withdrawal of troops from Syria in 2019, Pelosi stood up and raised her finger at Trump. The then-president shared a photo of the moment and claimed that Pelosi went into a “distraught meltdown,” but Pelosi accepted the image and displayed it at the top of her Twitter profile.
President Donald Trump speaks with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Congressional leaders in the Cabinet Office of the White House on Wednesday, October 16, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Hum Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Ham Images | Universal Images Group | Getty Images
Pelosi also led the first impeachment of Trump in the House of Representatives in December 2019. The abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges stem from accusations that Trump pressured Ukraine’s president to open an investigation into a political rival.
Trump was acquitted by the Senate.
Pelosi remains a vocal critic of Trump. In a recent CNN interview, she called President Trump a “despicable creature” and “the worst person on the planet.”
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