Pelosi’s Refusal To Retire Is Reportedly Causing Problems For Democrats: ‘Hakeem Wants Her Out’
Few names in modern American politics are more closely connected with the Democratic Party than former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
But at the age of 85, even many of her colleagues and acolytes are calling for her to step down.
Recent reports indicate that she isn’t keen on retirement, though, and has already started the paperwork ahead of yet another re-election bid.
Meanwhile, she reportedly maintains a more active role in party leadership than her current position would suggest, per the New York Post:
“As long as Nancy takes a breath, she is going to do what she wants to do,” said Willie Brown, a former mayor of San Francisco who once dated former Vice President Harris.
“She’s the heart and soul of the Democratic Party, particularly for Californians,” he added to The Post.
Behind the scenes some see it differently, according to one Democratic former New York City lawmaker who complained Pelosi still “meddles” in national affairs.
“Hakeem wants her out,” they said, referring to Jeffries. “Nancy has her hand in every decision he makes as leader. She just can’t help herself.”
A spokesperson for Jeffries said in a statement: “Leader Jeffries has repeatedly and publicly made clear that he and House Democrats are proud to stand on the historic shoulders of Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi.”
Despite having just turned 85, the Speaker Emerita – as Pelosi calls herself – has already filed paperwork in November to run for Congress in 2026 and has nearly $10 million in her campaign coffers, according to the Federal Election Commission.
When Pelosi stepped down from her leadership post in 2022, rumors began to swirl that she would not seek another term in the House.
Pelosi is gone, gone, gone. Sort of. She’s not quitting, but she won’t seek re-election as House Speaker. pic.twitter.com/z6uWDPqIUf
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) November 17, 2022
The Big Print Is Coming, Are You Ready?
Since then, calls for her to step down have started to grow:
Congress woman Nancy pelosi needs to retire she’s done enough for her people now she’s walking with a walking can she just too old to comprehend the future
— John Russell (@JohnRussel72770) March 28, 2025
Age of current US senators Mitch McConnell 83, Chuck Grassly 91, Bernie Sanders 82, Jim Risch 80, Ben Carden 80 and ex speaker Nancy Pelosi 85. If they were commercial airplane pilots they would have to retire. Term limits needs to be the law for these old people. Time to retire
— CrazyWabbit (@wabbit_crazy) March 25, 2025
How old is Nancy Pelosi?
Nancy Pelosi was born CLOSER to…
…than we are to the year she was born.
She was working in DC when JFK was president. She’s not in Congress, Congress is in her!
Time to retire. pic.twitter.com/Fm5JPwlNfo
— Chicago is Toast (@Chicagos_Toast) March 28, 2025
In 2023, Politico speculated on the fallout that might come from the long-time congresswoman’s eventual retirement:
At stake is not just the once-in-a-generation chance to be San Francisco’s sole representative in Congress — a post Pelosi has held since 1987. Her retirement, and the jockeying it would set off in state and local politics, would likely create open races for state Senate, Assembly and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
Pelosi has been mum about her plans, and the evidence that has emerged so far is contradictory. The congresswoman has raised $3.5 million in the first six months of the year between her campaign and political action committees, a haul that suggests she could run for reelection in November 2024 if she wanted. At a minimum, it shows she still has clout, which could be one reason she has decided to leave people guessing.
And here’s what Pelosi had to say about retirement back in 2021: