Pelosi Refusing to Reliquish Grip On Dem Party Ahead of Second Trump Term
Even without her Speaker’s gavel and no longer serving in a formal leadership role, California Rep. Nancy Pelosi remains a powerful figure within the Democratic Party as it braces for a second Trump presidency.
The 84-year-old “Speaker Emerita” became a defining adversary to Donald Trump during his first term, with memorable confrontations such as tense Oval Office meetings and the iconic moment when she tore up his 2020 State of the Union speech.
This month, Pelosi filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission after securing her 20th term. While her office has not confirmed whether she will seek reelection, the filing hints at her possible intentions, according to The Washington Examiner.
“There were rumors that she’d step aside if Harris won to let Democrats move forward but stay on if Trump won, seeing herself as a necessary leader for the anti-Trump forces,” said Democratic strategist Steve Maviglio in an interview with the Examiner.
Pelosi appears poised to take a central role in opposing Trump’s administration during the 119th Congress. On a recent House Democratic Caucus call, she reportedly floated the idea of reviving efforts similar to those during Trump’s first term, such as the group formed to defend the Affordable Care Act.
A veteran of nearly five decades in politics, Pelosi started her career in California before becoming the Democratic Party’s top House leader. First elected Speaker in 2007 and reclaiming the position in 2019, she stepped down from leadership in 2022 after Democrats lost their House majority. Her departure made way for a new generation of leadership, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
Despite formally stepping back, Pelosi’s influence remains significant. “Her strength has always been behind the scenes,” Maviglio explained. “She’s never been about grabbing headlines but quietly securing victories.”
Pelosi also reportedly played a crucial role in persuading President Joe Biden to step aside ahead of the 2024 election, a move many believe helped minimize down-ballot losses for Democrats.
“If Pelosi hadn’t intervened, Biden likely would have been the nominee, leading to a worse outcome for Senate and House races,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon. He noted that Pelosi’s involvement allowed Jeffries to avoid the politically fraught task of urging Biden to exit the race.
Pelosi has not hesitated to critique Biden publicly. In an interview with The New York Times shortly after the election, she argued that Biden should have exited the race earlier to allow other candidates to run.
“Had the president stepped aside sooner, there may have been a more competitive primary,” Pelosi said.
Her comments drew backlash from within the party. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) criticized Pelosi for airing internal grievances and expressed frustration over her continued dominance.
“She’s embraced this role as the godmother, the enforcer,” Fetterman said in an interview with Politico. “Now she’s blaming Biden. You can’t have it both ways.
“It’s ironic—at 84, she’s still holding on. Why not give younger generations a chance to lead?”
As Pelosi navigates her post-leadership role, her enduring influence underscores her status as a central figure in Democratic politics, even as tensions within the party persist.