Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is once again taking aim at President Donald Trump, but her latest comments suggest a notable shift in strategy.
Despite launching sharp criticism of Trump’s second administration, Pelosi stopped short of calling for impeachment — a surprising move from the Democrat who previously led two impeachment efforts against him.
In a recent interview with USA Today, Pelosi described President Trump’s administration in harsh terms, accusing it of being “corrupt,” “chaotic,” and “cruel.” However, when pressed on whether Democrats should pursue impeachment if they regain control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections, Pelosi appeared reluctant to commit.
USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page asked Pelosi directly whether impeachment should be part of the Democratic Party’s agenda next year. Pelosi responded that impeachment should only be considered under extraordinary circumstances, emphasizing that it should never be automatic or politically motivated.
According to Pelosi, impeachment requires clear and serious justification, calling it a “historic” and “grave” process that must be based on specific actions rather than partisan disagreements. Her comments marked a softer tone compared to previous years, when impeachment was often treated as a central Democratic objective.
Still, Pelosi used the interview to repeat familiar accusations against President Trump, once again blaming him for the events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot — claims Republicans strongly dispute, noting that Trump has not been criminally charged in connection with the incident.
Pelosi also defended her leadership during Trump’s first term, when House Democrats impeached him twice — efforts that ultimately failed to remove him from office. She argued those impeachments were justified, particularly over a 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky involving questions about Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings.
“The person most responsible for impeaching President Trump was President Trump,” Pelosi said, reiterating a long-standing Democratic argument.
At the same time, Pelosi acknowledged that pursuing impeachment now would be far more difficult, especially with Republicans controlling the U.S. Senate. She criticized the chamber’s current makeup, referring to it as uncooperative — a remark that reflects ongoing partisan tensions in Washington.
Now 85 years old, Pelosi has made no secret of her long-standing opposition to Trump. In recent media appearances, including an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, she admitted she has held back from using even stronger language after previously describing Trump in highly personal terms.
For many conservative voters, Pelosi’s hesitation may reflect growing impeachment fatigue among the public and a recognition that repeated investigations failed to stop Trump politically. As the 2026 elections approach, Democrats face a familiar dilemma: focus on policy and governance, or revisit past political battles that voters may already be tired of hearing about.
