Nancy Pelosi announces retirement from politics

Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as the powerful speaker of the US House of Representatives, said on Thursday that she will not run for reelection to Congress in 2026, ending the four-decade career of a progressive Democratic icon often vilified by the right.

The 85-year-old congresswoman, first elected in 1987, made her announcement two days after voters in California overwhelmingly approved “Proposition 50,” a state redistricting effort aimed at flipping five House seats to Democrats in next year’s midterm elections.

“I will not be seeking reelection to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service,” Pelosi said in social media posts.

California’s embrace of “Proposition 50” was in response to a similar move by Texas to boost Republicans’ chances. It was spearheaded by California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, but was right in Pelosi’s wheelhouse.

Pelosi has been at the forefront in battling for control of the House and especially taking on Republican Donald Trump, who feuded with her in his first presidential term from 2017-2021.

The two often exchanged sharp words, and Pelosi tried to topple Trump twice with House impeachments in late 2019 and early 2021. Senate Republicans acquitted him both times.

Trump showed no signs of softening his rhetoric after Pelosi’s announcement.

“I think she was a tremendous liability to the country. I thought she was an evil woman who did a poor job across the country, a lot in damages and reputation. I thought she was terrible,” he said in remarks from the White House Oval Office. A Pelosi spokesperson did not immediately respond when asked about Trump’s comment.

Congressional Republicans largely withheld comment on Pelosi’s retirement announcement but Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a longtime Trump supporter, offered praise.

“She had an incredible career for her party,” Greene told CNN. “I wish we could get things done for our party like Nancy Pelosi was able to deliver for her party,” she added.

Pelosi’s retirement follows years of younger Democrats chafing at elders hanging onto power and not doing enough to cultivate future leaders. That frustration was on display in the summer of 2024 when Joe Biden, the 81-year-old Democratic president, limped through a debate with Trump and weeks later dropped out of the race, in part due to pressure from Pelosi and other fellow Democrats.

Reuters