Nancy Pelosi, historic figure of the Democratic Party and the only woman to have presided over the U.S. House of Representatives, announced that she will not seek reelection in 2026. At 85 years of age and after nearly four decades in Congress, Pelosi will close her political cycle in January 2027.
The announcement provoked a wave of reactions. From former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, political leaders came out to recognize his trajectory. Although current President Donald Trump celebrated the announcement, in a different way.
Democrats Applaud Nancy Pelosi
For almost four decades, Nancy Pelosi has served the American people and worked to make our country better. No one was more skilled at bringing people together and getting legislation passed – and I will always be grateful for her support of the Affordable Care Act. She made us… pic.twitter.com/HZbWjm7GAt
– Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 6, 2025
“No one was more adept at uniting the party and getting key legislation passed,” former President Barack Obama wrote on networks, where he also called her “one of the best House Speakers ever.”
Former President Joe Biden called her “the best in the history” of the office and recalled her collaboration to “create jobs and drive historic investments.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris also chimed in, praising Pelosi’s “tenacity and conviction.”
While Hakeem Jeffries, current Democratic leader in the House, published a lengthy letter highlighting his “strength and dignity.”
Trump, the other side of the celebration
Q: Do you have a statement on Nancy Pelosi’s retirement?
TRUMP: I think she’s an evil woman. I think she was a tremendous liability for the country. pic.twitter.com/wnqRjrIhGE
– Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 6, 2025
But not everyone celebrated. On the other side, former President Donald Trump reacted harshly from the White House.
“He is doing a great service to the country with his retirement. She was a tremendous liability. I think she is an evil woman who did a poor job and cost the country a lot in reputation and damage. It was terrible,” she told reporters.
Nancy Pelosi and Donald Trump starred in several tense moments during his previous term, including the January 2020 episode when Pelosi tore up a copy of the State of the Union address in front of the cameras.
She was also one of the main targets of the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, which forced her to take shelter inside the building while a mob sought to locate her.
The end of an era
Nancy Pelosi was first elected to Congress in 1987 and marked a before and after in American politics by becoming the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2007, a position she held again in 2019.
Since then, he has become a key figure in the opposition to Trumpism.
“With gratitude, I look forward to my last year of service as your proud representative,” Nancy Pelosi said in a video addressed to her constituents in San Francisco, her lifelong district.
His retirement, although predicted by some analysts, marks the end of an era.
And, as was clear from the mixed reactions, his legacy will be as celebrated as it will be polarizing.
