Pelosi’s retirement garners mixed reaction

.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said Thursday that she will not run for reelection in 2026, which has prompted reactions from both allies and opponents. 

Pelosi has served 20 terms in Congress since she began in 1987. Pelosi served as the first female Speaker of the House between 2007 and 2011 and again in 2019 until 2022.

Democratic leadership tip their hat

House Minority Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) offered a tribute with a biblical tone. Jeffries expressed admiration for Pelosi living out “the bedrock of Jesuit value” and compared her to Esther in the Old Testament.

“Nancy D’Alessandro Pelosi is an iconic, heroic, trailblazing, legendary, and transformational leader. She is the greatest Speaker of all time,” Jeffries wrote on X. “The United States is a much better country today because Nancy Pelosi dedicated her life to serving the children, the climate, the country, and the American people.”

Former President Joe Biden reminisced on his shared accomplishments with Pelosi in an X post.

“I often said Nancy Pelosi was the best Speaker of the House in American history — it’s why I awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. When I was President, we worked together to grow our economy, create millions of jobs, and make historic investments in our nation’s future,” Biden wrote. “She has devoted much of her life to this country, and America will always be grateful. Jill and I wish Nancy and Paul all the best.”

Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MS) thanked Pelosi in a post that included a photo of both women together. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer similarly thanked Pelosi “for everything” in his own post.

Democrat Party Chairman Ken Martin thanked Pelosi for her “service to California and the country” in a post on X.

“No one understood how to get things done better than Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi,” Martin captioned a photo of them together.

Martin’s predecessor, Jaime Harrison, called Pelosi his “friend,” “forever Speaker,” and “the greatest of all time.”

“She could whip a bill like no other,” Harrison wrote of Pelosi on X.“LBJ may have been the Master of the Senate . . . but Nancy D’Alesdandro Pelosi was the Maestro of the House. From the ACA to the Inflation Reduction Act, her legislative impact changed America.”

California leaders pipe in

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who previously served with Pelosi in the House, credited Pelosi for “every major progressive accomplishment in the 21st century.”

“Nancy Pelosi is also my mentor and friend. She has believed in me, given me opportunities and been a guiding light for me – and I know that my story is one of hundreds in the Congress,” Schiff wrote. 

“California will not see another champion that is as committed, as capable, and as filled with the progressive spirit as Nancy Pelosi. Not for a very long time. And I look forward to seeing what she will accomplish in her remaining time in the Congress and in the future,” Schiff added.

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) agreed that Pelosi’s impact “is unmatched.”

“Nancy Pelosi has inspired generations. Her courage and conviction to San Francisco, California, and our nation has set the standard for what public service should be,” Newsom wrote. “Wishing you the best in this new chapter—you’ve more than earned it.”

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie gave Pelosi credit for “strengthening our infrastructure, supporting our public spaces by transforming the Presidio into a national park, championing healthcare for kids and families in San Francisco and across our nation, and standing up for our city’s LGBTQ+ community.” Pelosi’s district encompassed San Francisco. Lurie himself was an intern in Pelosi’s office while in college.

“While her work brought her to the highest levels of leadership, Speaker Emerita Pelosi never forgot who she served: San Franciscans,” Lurie wrote. “Her service has strengthened San Francisco, inspired generations of Americans, and motivated all of us to continue working for the city we love.”

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee referred to Pelosi as a “dear friend” in her X post.

“Her bold leadership paved the way for so many women and so much progress. Thank you, Nancy — for the fierce fight, the unwavering courage, and your decades of service to our country,” Lee wrote.

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) thanked Pelosi for taking on the speakership “during some of our nation’s darkest days.”

“Nancy Pelosi will be remembered as the most effective and historic Speaker in all of American history,” Garcia wrote on X. “She will be greatly missed in Congress, but I am confident that her work, legacy, and fearlessness will continue to inspire generations to come.”

Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) referred to Pelosi as “the moral center of our caucus.” Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) said Pelosi was a “dedicated public servant” who worked to “uplift the most vulnerable.”

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) thanked Pelosi for the times “she gave me opportunities when others did not.” Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) called her “our nation’s chief defender against Donald Trump’s attacks on our democracy.”

Democratic allies share legacy

Rep. Brittany Peterson (D-CO) shared a photo of Pelosi posing with her son Samuel, who was born earlier this year.

“Truly the end of an era. @SpeakerPelosi didn’t just shatter glass ceilings — she paved the way for generations of women to lead,” Petersen captioned the photo. “It’s incumbent on all of us to carry out her vision for the future — as she always says, for the children.”

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) praised Pelosi’s tenure as Speaker despite having run against her in 2018 and noting that they “occasionally had [their] disagreements.”

“She will always be remembered as one of the great Speakers of the House, and I know many a Republican colleague who freely admits that, even while staunchly disagreeing with her!” Moulton wrote on X.

Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MS) suggested that Pelosi’s retirement marks “the close of one of the most extraordinary chapters in American history.”

“For decades, Nancy Pelosi has embodied the very best of public service. She shattered barriers not for their own sake, but to clear a path for others, especially women and girls, to walk behind her and beyond her,” Trahan wrote on X.“Her everyday presence in the halls of Congress will be missed, but her legacy will accompany us through the challenges ahead for a long time to come.”

Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) echoed Trahan’s sentiment that Pelosi’s retirement is the end of a chapter.

Freshman Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) agreed with Crow that “Nancy Pelosi’s career has been a masterclass on leadership.”

“America is better because of Nancy Pelosi’s leadership. And I am a better leader because of her mentorship and support throughout my career,” Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) captioned a photo of him with Pelosi.

Rep. Debbie Murcasel-Powell (D-FL) credited Pelosi for the fact that “no bill ever came to the floor without bipartisan support” during her service as Speaker.

“She will be missed in the House but she will no doubt continue to be the mentor for hundreds of women who serve or want to serve our nation,” Murcasel-Powell wrote of Pelosi.

“No matter how far she’s risen, Nancy’s never lost sight of her mission – to make life better for the children and for the people,” Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) wrote.

Republicans offer rare praise

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) defended Pelosi’s legacy despite being from the opposing party.

“Whatever one thinks about Nancy Pelosi or the policies she fought for, she is an historic figure in American politics,” Lawler wrote. “While I was proud to help end her reign as Speaker, I have great respect and admiration for her political prowess and steely resolve. Best wishes Madam Speaker.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) weighed in while on CNN’s The Situation Room.

“I will praise Nancy Pelosi. She had an incredible career for her party. I served under her speakership in my first term in Congress and I’m very impressed at her ability to get things done. I wish we could get things done for our party like Nancy Pelosi was able to deliver for her party,” Greene said.

Greene also took a swipe at Pelosi, who is 85 years old, saying, “I would like to see people exit Washington a lot sooner rather than wait until they’re 80.”

Republican opponents celebrate

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) noted that Pelosi’s retirement is “a very important sign” for the future of the Democratic Party.

“The old guard has been repudiated, and the radicals are taking over the Democratic Party. We have evidence now every day,” Johnson said. “Even the famous San Francisco liberal is not far-left enough for the neo-Marxists, and we commend her for her service.”

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) also implied that there will be changes in Congress after Pelosi’s departure.

“Nancy Pelosi is retiring – perfect time to pass the PELOSI Act and BAN stock trading by members of Congress,” Hawley wrote on X.

Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) echoed Hawley.

“In honor of @SpeakerPelosi and her service to the Nation, @SpeakerJohnson should immediately call for a vote on the PELOSI Act, @RepMarkAlford and my bill to ban members of Congress from trading stocks,” Steube wrote on X. “I can’t think of a better tribute than to pass this legislation named in her honor.”

EXITING PELOSI WILL BE HERALDED BY ADORING MEDIA, BUT HER LEGACY IS TARNISHED

Notable silence from Democratic colleagues

Several notable colleagues opted not to make the number of notable colleagues that opted to not publicly comment on Pelosi’s retirement. Those that had not made a statement by the time of publish included Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA) Ted Lieu (D-CA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

Related Content

Copyright 2024. Washington Examiner. All Rights Reserved.