Politicians, California leaders react to Nancy Pelosi’s retirement announcement

SAN FRANCISCO — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday that she will retire at the end of her current term in Congress, which has sparked an outpouring of gratitude from California leaders and politicians.

Pelosi, 85, was the first woman elected speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and the first woman to lead a major political party in either chamber of Congress.

RELATED: Nancy Pelosi announces retirement at the end of her term in Congress in 2027

Here’s how leaders are reacting:

President Donald Trump

President Donald Trump called Pelosi “an evil woman” when asked about her retirement announcement. Here’s what he said:

“I think she’s an evil woman, I’m glad she’s retiring. I think she did the country a great service by retiring. I think she was a tremendous liability for the country. I thought she was an evil woman who did a poor job, who cost the country a lot in damages and in reputation. I thought she was terrible.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom

Gov. Gavin Newsom posted to X Thursday morning, saying Pelosi inspired a generation.

“Nancy Pelosi has inspired generations. Her courage and conviction to San Francisco, California, and our nation has set the standard for what public service should be. Her impact on this nation is unmatched. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Wishing you the best in this new chapter-you’ve more than earned it,” said Newsom.

Former Pres. Joe Biden

Former President Joe Biden took to X to express her gratitude to Pelosi, saying she has “devoted much of her life to this country, and America will always be grateful.”

“I often said Nancy Pelosi was the best Speaker of the House in American history – it’s why I awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. When I was President, we worked together to grow our economy, create millions of jobs, and make historic investments in our nation’s future. She has devoted much of her life to this country, and America will always be grateful. Jill and I wish Nancy and Paul all the best.”

State Senator Scott Wiener

State Senator Scott Wiener, who announced last week he would be running to fill Pelosi’s seat, called her “an icon of American politics.”

“In her years of public service, Nancy Pelosi made every day count and moved mountains for San Francisco and our nation. Her example is a guiding light to me and millions of others as we face the extreme challenges ahead,” said Wiener.

Sen. Adam Schiff

Sen. Adam Schiff released a statement saying Pelosi will go down as the “greatest Speaker in American history” saying her work in Congress delivered “affordable health care to millions, created countless jobs, raised families out of poverty, cleaned up pollution, brought LGBTQ+ rights into the mainstream, and pulled our economy back from the brink of destruction not once, but twice.”

“Despite that steadfast advocacy on the world stage, there was never any question as to the Speaker’s commitment to her home: San Francisco. Today, no visitor to the City will be able to miss the enduring mark that her work has made: from the restored and beautified Presidio, the expanded Golden Gate National Park, improvements to BART and the construction of the Transbay Transit Center, and a cleaner San Francisco Bay that is better protected from the ravages of climate change,” said Schiff.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee

Former congresswoman and Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, who spent decades alongside Pelosi in Congress, said in a statement that the former speakers’ “bold leadership paved the way for so many women and so much progress.”

“For decades, I had the privilege of serving alongside Nancy as her congressional neighbor, working together on our shared values for San Francisco, the State of California, our Country and the World. As the first woman Speaker of the House, Nancy shattered barriers and opened doors for women across the country,” said Mayor Lee. “She never let us forget the work we were doing was for the children and our future. As she prepares for her final year in Congress, she leaves a standard of principled leadership that will endure. I know this next chapter of her life will continue to be filled with joy and more time with her husband Paul and her beautiful family.”

Former congresswoman Gabby Gifford’s

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords called Pelosi a “steadfast gun safety champion for decades” and her support of gun legislation was crucial in the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

“Our nation is stronger and safer because of Nancy Pelosi’s decades of leadership, and I have been fortunate to call her a mentor and friend,” said former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. “She guided us through historic times, from the passage of the Affordable Care Act to the first federal legislation in almost 30 years to tackle the gun violence epidemic. Speaker Pelosi established the nation’s first gun violence prevention task force following the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, fought tirelessly for lifesaving background check legislation and never shied away from criticizing the corrupt gun lobby.”