After the 2022 midterms gave Republicans a narrow single-digit majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, the reelected Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California) made a major announcement: She would be remaining in Congress but stepping down as Democratic House leader. Pelosi, now 82, was ready to pass the torch, and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) was chosen as House minority leader. Jeffries now finds himself frequently butting heads with conservative House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California).
Journalist Nolan D. McCaskill takes a look at Pelosi's post-speaker life in an article published by the Los Angeles Times on March 20. Pelosi still has the duties of a congresswoman, but Jeffries now handles the Democratic House leadership responsibilities.
According to McCaskill, Pelosi's "new role" is a "mixed bag" because she is "able to speak her mind more freely, but she still wants to pick and choose her moments because she no longer speaks for the House Democratic Caucus."
READ MORE:Bidding farewell to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Pelosi humorously told the Times, "I'm emancipated now! Liberated! Freedom! Free at last!" And she revealed that when she has the time, she plans to start writing a book.
The former House speaker revealed, "I probably will be saying some things about our democracy and what the Republicans and the court have done to narrow it."
Pelosi lambasted her successor McCarthy for giving surveillance footage of the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol Building to Fox News host Tucker Carlson and told the Times, "That was in keeping with their home address: reckless. That's what all roads lead to with the Republicans: reckless."
The California Democrat also weighed in on Democratic President Joe Biden referring to Republican Donald Trump as "the former president, and maybe future president."
READ MORE:Nancy Pelosi condemns the 'shameless bigotry' of 'MAGA Republicans' against transgender Americans
Pelosi told the Times, "Oh, please. Don’t even say such a thing. That isn't kidding. That's horrible."
READ MORE: Kevin McCarthy buried for empowering 'Confederate-wannabe degenerate' Marjorie Taylor Greene
Read the Los Angeles Times' full report here (subscription required).
