Nancy Pelosi Announces Retirement After Four Decades in Office
Nancy Pelosi, one of the most influential and polarizing figures in modern U.S. politics, announced Thursday that she will retire from Congress at the end of her current term in January 2027, marking the end of a 40-year political career that redefined leadership in Washington.
In a video message to constituents, the 85-year-old California Democrat confirmed she will not seek reelection, saying her decision was guided by gratitude and faith in the next generation of leadership.
We have made history, we have made progress,” Pelosi said. “We have always led the way, and now we must continue to do so by remaining full participants in our democracy, and fighting for the American ideals we hold dear.
Pelosi concluded her message with a nod to her home district, adding, "As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power."
Breaking Barriers and Building Power
Pelosi was first elected to Congress in 1987, representing San Francisco’s 11th District. At the time, she was a 47-year-old mother of five who had risen through the ranks of the California Democratic Party.
Two decades later, she shattered one of the highest glass ceilings in American government, becoming the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House in 2007. The role—second in line to the presidency after the vice president—cemented her place in history as both a symbol of progress and a master legislator.
Pelosi’s first tenure as Speaker lasted until 2011, when Republicans took control of the House. She reclaimed the gavel in 2019, holding the position until 2023, when she stepped aside and endorsed Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York as her successor.
Over her two terms as Speaker, Pelosi proved to be one of the most effective vote counters and strategists in congressional history.
Legislative Legacy
Pelosi’s political legacy is defined by her ability to marshal major legislation through narrow margins and fractious caucuses. She was instrumental in the passage of President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act in 2010, which expanded healthcare coverage to millions of Americans despite fierce Republican opposition.
During President Joe Biden’s administration, Pelosi helped secure some of the most ambitious legislative achievements in decades — including a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, a sweeping climate and social spending package, and the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified protections for same-sex marriage.
A Fierce Rival of Donald Trump
Pelosi’s tenure was also defined by her high-profile clashes with Donald Trump. She led two impeachment efforts against the Republican president—first in 2019, over allegations that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, and again in 2021, following the January 6 Capitol attack.
While Trump was acquitted both times by a GOP-controlled Senate, Pelosi’s leadership during those moments cemented her reputation as one of his most formidable adversaries.
She also made headlines in 2020 when she ripped up Trump’s State of the Union address on live television—a symbolic gesture that captured the deep partisan divisions of the era.
For many Democrats, she became a steadfast defender of institutional norms and progressive values. For her critics, she represented everything they opposed about Washington’s establishment politics.
Continuing Influence in California
Even as she prepares to leave Congress, Pelosi remains deeply involved in Democratic politics, particularly in her home state of California. Most recently, she played a key role in advocating for California’s Proposition 50, a redistricting initiative aimed at giving Democrats a stronger foothold in Congress by adding as many as five new House seats. The measure passed in 2026 with her active support.
Her retirement announcement comes as Democrats look ahead to a new generation of leadership while facing the continued challenge of Trump’s second term.
The End of an Era
Pelosi’s departure will close one of the most consequential chapters in congressional history. Over four decades, she transformed from a San Francisco activist into a national power broker who shaped Democratic strategy, policy, and identity.
Under her leadership, the House navigated wars, recessions, pandemics, and historic impeachments. Whether revered as a trailblazer or reviled as a partisan warrior, Pelosi’s impact on American politics is undeniable.
As she prepares to leave public office, Pelosi’s words to her district capture the essence of her career: a blend of gratitude, defiance, and conviction. “San Francisco, know your power,” she said — a reminder from a woman who, for decades, embodied it.
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