U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi has once again taken center stage as the primary adversary of former President Trump within the halls of Capitol Hill.
After relinquishing her role as Speaker last year, Pelosi (D-Calif.) has largely stayed out of the spotlight within the Democratic caucus, allowing a new generation of leaders to assume control of the organization she guided for two decades.
However, the California Democrat — now holding the title of “Speaker Emerita” — has resumed her position as the primary antagonist to Trump following his recent indictment. She has been actively criticizing the former president, commending the charges against him, and showcasing her unique ability to provoke a reaction from the man with whom she clashed during his four-year tenure in the White House.
The contentious relationship between the two leaders was prominently displayed as Trump faced charges linked to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in advance of the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach — a day that Pelosi has declared she will “never forgive” Trump for.
While discussing Trump’s appearance at his arraignment, Pelosi remarked, “I wasn’t in the courtroom, of course, but when I saw his coming out of his car and this or that, I saw a scared puppy,” Pelosi on Friday told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell of Trump arriving at his arraignment. “He looked very, very, very concerned about the fate.”
She added: “I didn’t see any bravado or confidence or anything like that,” she continued. “He knows the truth — that he lost the election and now he’s got to face the music.”
Trump responded to these comments by fiercely criticizing Pelosi, labeling her as a “Wicked Witch,” while making reference to a prior attack on her husband in their residence. Reflecting on the verbal sparring, it is nothing new for both Trump and Pelosi, who engaged in name-calling and disputes throughout Trump’s presidency.
Pelosi, during that time, labeled Trump as a “coward,” referred to his physical appearance, and famously tore up his State of the Union address. In return, Trump referred to her as “crazy Nancy” and hurled derogatory comments. The conflict escalated to its peak during Trump’s second impeachment, where Pelosi staged a vote shortly after the Capitol riot.
Pelosi, whose office was breached by rioters, initiated the select committee that examined the insurrection, which later influenced the Justice Department’s indictment against Trump. The charges he faces now include two recommended by the committee — conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.
Though she has maintained a lower profile after stepping back from leadership, Pelosi has given interviews discussing Trump’s indictment. She has commended the charges, noting their intricacy and probability of conviction, and has praised the select committee’s work.
As Trump contemplates a return to the presidential race and continues to challenge the legitimacy of the 2020 election, Pelosi has expressed concerns about another Trump term, describing it as a potential “criminal enterprise.”
“If he were to be president, it would be a criminal enterprise in the White House,” she told New York Magazine.
Despite her renewed engagement in this role, Pelosi has expressed patience in allowing the legal process to unfold. She acknowledges that the law will ultimately determine the outcome of Trump’s legal situation.
“Now it’s in the court of law,” Pelosi told MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell. “He’s innocent until proven guilty, he is not above the law, the facts and the law will determine the outcome.”
