Sen. John Fetterman directly blamed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the Democrats’ devastating losses in the 2024 elections, accusing her of consolidating power and then shifting responsibility onto President Biden after his poor debate performance.
In an interview with Politico, Fetterman criticized Pelosi’s influence over the party, saying she played the role of “godmother” and “enforcer” but then turned on Biden when things went south. “You can’t have it both ways,” he said, referring to Biden’s withdrawal and the push for Kamala Harris as the nominee. He called it ironic that Pelosi, at 84, continues to hold power while criticizing others for not stepping aside.
Beyond Pelosi, Fetterman pushed back against Democrats who label Trump supporters as “fascists,” arguing that such rhetoric alienates voters. “They’re not fascists. If you go to that extreme, it’s hard to walk it back,” he said, adding that Democrats’ habit of “scolding harder” isn’t a winning strategy.
Pelosi now faces mounting pressure to retire after Republicans took back the White House and Senate while maintaining control of the House. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien joined those calling for Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to step aside, arguing that fresh leadership is needed after such a major defeat.
Despite growing opposition, Pelosi has quietly filed for re-election in 2026, though her office has not confirmed if she will run. Meanwhile, reports suggest she played a key role in Biden’s downfall. According to NBC News, Pelosi privately encouraged donors and fellow Democrats to voice their doubts about Biden’s chances, fueling a wave of public opposition that ultimately forced him out of the race. A House Democrat even claimed, “This was all Nancy’s doing.”
Pelosi’s recent comments suggest she expected Biden to drop out sooner, which could have allowed for a more competitive selection process to challenge Trump. Instead, Biden’s delayed exit and Harris’s rushed nomination left Democrats divided, with many now blaming Pelosi for the party’s failures.
