Trailblazing U.S. leader Nancy Pelosi announces her 2026 retirement, closing a historic chapter in American politics.
Veteran American lawmaker and trailblazer, Nancy Pelosi, has announced that she will not seek re-election to Congress in 2026, bringing to a close an extraordinary 40-year career in U.S. politics.
Pelosi, 85, who became the first female Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, shared her decision just two days after Californians approved Proposition 50, a redistricting plan aimed at helping Democrats gain control of more House seats in the next election.
“I will not be seeking reelection to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service,” she wrote on social media.
Throughout her career, Pelosi became one of the most influential — and at times, most controversial — figures in American politics. A fierce Democrat, she was known for her ability to rally votes, challenge Republican leadership, and go head-to-head with former President Donald Trump.
Pelosi famously led two impeachment efforts against Trump during his presidency, both of which were blocked by Senate Republicans. Reacting to her retirement, Trump criticized her sharply, calling her “a tremendous liability” and “an evil woman who did a poor job.”
Even some Republicans, however, acknowledged her impact. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a vocal Trump ally, told CNN:
“She had an incredible career for her party. I wish our side could get things done the way she did.”
Pelosi’s decision comes amid growing calls within the Democratic Party for generational change. Many younger members have long expressed frustration that older leaders hold on to power for too long.
Her retirement marks the end of an era for Democrats, though it’s not expected to shake up the party’s leadership. Pelosi already stepped down as Speaker in 2023, handing the reins to Hakeem Jeffries, now leading the House Democrats.
During her tenure, Pelosi earned a reputation as a strong-willed leader who pushed through major reforms, including Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) which she often described as her proudest achievement.
She was also a champion for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and healthcare reform, breaking multiple barriers for women in politics.
“To say that Nancy Pelosi shattered the glass ceiling is an understatement,” said Fatima Goss Graves, head of the National Women’s Law Center.
Her time in politics was not without hardship. In 2022, her husband Paul Pelosi survived a violent attack in their San Francisco home by a right-wing extremist, a moment that underscored the rising dangers faced by U.S. politicians.
Known for her discipline and fundraising prowess, Pelosi once joked that she had to “raise a million dollars a day, at least five days a week.”
As Pelosi prepares to exit Washington, she leaves behind a lasting legacy — not just as the first woman to lead Congress, but as a symbol of resilience, power, and persistence in a deeply divided political landscape.
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