Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced on Friday that she intends to retire from Congress at the conclusion of her term in January 2027, marking the end of an impressive almost 40-year career in the House.
Pelosi expressed her gratitude and anticipation for her final year as a representative in a recent address to voters in San Francisco, showcased in videos shared on social media.
Having served as Speaker of the House twice, Pelosi is notably the first and only woman to hold this position in U.S. history. Her career featured pivotal legislative achievements under former Presidents Obama and Biden, along with strong opposition to Presidents George W. Bush and Trump.
Here are five significant moments from Pelosi’s time in Congress.
Visit to Tiananmen Square (1991)
Following the Tiananmen Square protests and the ensuing crackdowns in Beijing in 1989, Pelosi, alongside then-Representative Ben Jones (D-Georgia) and John Miller (R-Washington), visited China in 1991.
During the visit, they unfurled a banner in Tiananmen Square that read, “To those who died for democracy in China,” in both English and Mandarin. Authorities attempted to detain the lawmakers, and several journalists were held for over an hour.
Afterward, Pelosi remarked on officials’ claims that “freedom of speech is not prohibited in China,” which, of course, contradicted their own actions during her visit.
State of the Union Address with President Bush (2007)
In the 2006 midterm elections, the Democrats gained the majority in the House for the first time in over a decade. By January 2007, Pelosi, who had been the Democratic leader since 2003, made history as the first female Speaker of the House.
During the State of the Union address, President Bush began by acknowledging her with, “Mrs. Speaker,” leading to a hearty ovation, which included applause from former Vice President Dick Cheney. He also referenced Pelosi’s father, a former congressman, highlighting the significance of her role.
Confrontation with President Trump (2019)
Months into her second term as Speaker, Pelosi participated in a meeting with President Trump at the White House to discuss issues in Syria. Shortly after starting, the meeting turned contentious as Trump accused them of requesting the meeting.
This meeting took place amid ongoing impeachment inquiries initiated by House Democrats led by Pelosi, concerning allegations against Trump related to military aid to Ukraine. Afterward, Trump posted a photo of Pelosi pointing at him, later remarking on her demeanor in a derogatory manner.
In response, Pelosi mentioned that she continuously prays for the president and emphasized the seriousness of his “meltdown.”
Tearing Up Trump’s State of the Union Address (2020)
After Trump delivered his final State of the Union address, Pelosi tore a copy of the speech in half on stage, calling it a “proclamation of untruth.” This moment came shortly after Trump was impeached by the House.
Pelosi reportedly felt a sense of liberation regarding her actions. Meanwhile, Trump labeled the act “highly illegal,” although there was no legal basis for such a claim.
Encouraging Biden to Step Down (2024)
In the early months following Biden’s suspension of his debate against Trump in June 2024, Democratic leaders were generally quiet about urging him to withdraw from the re-election race. However, on July 10, Pelosi publicly refrained from backing Biden’s campaign.
She stated, “It’s up to the president whether he wants to run or not,” adding that there was indeed a pressing need for him to make a decision. Following her remarks, more Democratic figures began to call for Biden’s resignation. He ultimately stepped down on July 21, with support from Pelosi for Kamala Harris, who would later secure the Democratic nomination but ultimately lost to Trump in the November election.
