Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has officially declared her retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives. This anticipated announcement came on Thursday morning, as she confirmed she would not run for another term after serving nearly 40 years.
“I want you, the people of San Francisco, to be the first to know that I am not seeking re-election to Congress,” the 85-year-old remarked in a video. “I’m thankful and look forward to this final year as a proud representative of your community.”
Since joining Congress in 1987, Pelosi served as Speaker during two four-year terms, from 2007 to 2011 and then again from 2019 to 2023. Between those terms, she was the House Minority Leader. Following the Democrats’ loss of the House in 2023, she announced she would not pursue any leadership roles.
As she leaves office, she carries an estimated net worth of about $120 million, mostly accrued by her husband, Paul, amid ongoing scrutiny over insider trading allegations in Congress.
Pelosi’s legacy will be closely linked to various controversies, particularly during the Trump era. She famously impeached him twice and played a significant role in the January 6 commission, which many voters viewed skeptically given that she was responsible for Capitol security and dismissed Trump’s request for National Guard assistance.
It’s open to interpretation, but it’s hard to overlook the idea that she may have influenced some of the multiple indictments Trump faced, ultimately leading to his disgrace.
All of this, in many ways, didn’t turn out as planned.
Moreover, Pelosi significantly supported the policies of Joe Biden, which some argue contributed to Trump’s notable comeback in the 2024 election. These policies, including open borders and vaccine mandates, have faced considerable criticism. Her attempts to defend Biden’s declining cognitive abilities and her swift endorsement of Kamala Harris, bypassing primary challenges, indicated a lack of internal party democracy.
Overall, Pelosi was notably divisive, often viewed as one of the most unpopular politicians during her tenure. Interestingly, her actions inadvertently fueled fundraising for the Republican Party more than anyone else.
So, farewell, Nancy. Perhaps you won’t miss it. Enjoy some ice cream and your wealth.
