Nancy Pelosi has announced her retirement from Congress, ending a decades-long career that saw the California Democrat become one of the most powerful figures in US politics.
In a video message on Thursday, Pelosi said she will not be seeking re-election to Congress at the end of her term in January 2027.
It marks the end of a storied political career: Pelosi, 85, became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House and led her party in the lower chamber of Congress from 2003 until 2023.
We have made history, we have made progress, Pelosi said in her message.
Pelosi continued, 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. Also, her message to San Francisco emphasized, know your power.
First elected as speaker of the House in 2007, Pelosi served until 2011, returned from 2019 to 2023, and has played a crucial role in significant legislative processes, including the passage of healthcare reforms and climate initiatives under two presidents. In her tenure, she consistently opposed and challenged the policies of former President Donald Trump, becoming a polarizing figure for her confrontations, including famously tearing up his State of the Union address.
As the House Speaker, a position explicitly detailed in the US Constitution, her influence extended greatly, being second only to the vice president in the presidential line of succession.
This breaking news story is being updated, and more details will be published shortly.
