U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) takes the stage on Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., August 21, 2024.
Kevin Wurm | Reuters
Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat who made history as the first female speaker of the House of Representatives, said Thursday she will not seek reelection to Congress next year.
Pelosi, 85, has served in the House for nearly four decades, presiding over the passage of major legislation and serving as a leading opposition figure against President Donald Trump.
“There has been no greater honor for me than to stand on the House floor and say, ‘I speak for the people of San Francisco,'” Pelosi said in a video posted on social media.
“I have truly loved serving as your voice in Congress,” she said. “That is why I want you, my fellow San Franciscans, to be the first to know: I will not be seeking reelection to Congress.”
“With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi became the most powerful woman in congressional history in 2002, when she was elected House minority leader by her fellow Democrats.
When the party took majority control of the chamber in 2007, Pelosi became the first — and so far only — woman to wield the speaker’s gavel.
She held the title until Democrats lost their House majority in 2011. When the party won the chamber back in 2019, Pelosi served as House speaker for a second time.
The new Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (Left) (D-Ca.) waves the gavel after receiving it from John Boehner (R-OH) on Jan 4th, 2007.
The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty Images
“Nancy Pelosi has inspired generations,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in an X post later Thursday morning.
“Her courage and conviction to San Francisco, California, and our nation has set the standard for what public service should be. Her impact on this nation is unmatched,” Newsom said.
Trump slammed Pelosi following her retirement announcement, calling it “a great thing for America.”
“She was evil, corrupt and only focused on bad things for our country,” Trump told a Fox News reporter. She was rapidly losing control of her party and it was never coming back. I’m very honored she impeached me twice and failed miserably twice. Nancy Pelosi is a highly overrated politician.”
Under Pelosi’s leadership, the House passed seismic bills that created sweeping change across the country.
Perhaps most notably, she was instrumental to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama’s signature legislative achievement. The health care law, which has survived numerous attempts by Republicans to repeal it, is now at the center of an ongoing government shutdown.
During her second stint as speaker, Pelosi clashed openly with Trump — inside and outside the White House.
In a heated clash at a White House meeting in 2019 on the administration’s withdrawal of troops from Syria, Pelosi stood up and raised a finger to Trump. The then-president released a photo of the moment, claiming Pelosi had an “unhinged meltdown” — but Pelosi embraced the image, displaying it atop her Twitter profile.
President Donald Trump meets with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressional leadership Wednesday Oct. 16 2019 in the Cabinet Room of the White House.. (Photo by: Hum Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Hum Images | Universal Images Group | Getty Images
Pelosi also presided over the first impeachment of Trump in the House in December 2019. The charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress stemmed from accusations that Trump had pressured Ukraine’s president to launch investigations into his political foes.
Trump was acquitted in the Senate.
Pelosi has remained a vocal Trump critic. In a recent CNN interview, she called Trump a “vile creature” and “worst thing on the face of the Earth.”
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