Nancy Pelosi to retire from Congress; Trump celebrates
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, announced on Thursday that she will not seek reelection to Congress next year.
Having served in the House for almost four decades, Pelosi has played a significant role in passing major legislation and has been a prominent figure in opposition to President Donald Trump.
In a video posted on social media, Pelosi expressed her gratitude to the people of San Francisco and announced her decision not to seek reelection. She stated, “With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative.”
Throughout her career, Pelosi has been a trailblazer, becoming the first woman to hold the title of House minority leader in 2002 and later becoming the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House in 2007.
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
Following her retirement announcement, California Governor Gavin Newsom praised Pelosi for her impact on the nation, stating that her courage and commitment have set a high standard for public service.
Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, criticized Pelosi, calling her retirement “a great thing for America” and labeling her as “evil” and “corrupt.”
During her tenure as Speaker of the House, Pelosi played a key role in passing significant legislation, including the Affordable Care Act, which remains a cornerstone of the current government shutdown.
Pelosi’s leadership style often clashed with Trump, leading to memorable confrontations, such as the heated exchange during a White House meeting in 2019.
President Donald Trump meets with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressional leadership Wednesday Oct. 16 2019 in the Cabinet Room of the White House.
Hum Images | Universal Images Group | Getty Images
Pelosi also oversaw the first impeachment of Trump in the House in December 2019, which centered on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Despite the Senate acquitting Trump, Pelosi has continued to be a vocal critic of the former president, referring to him as a “vile creature” in a recent CNN interview.
Clarification: This article has been updated to clarify Pelosi’s role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act in the House.
