Pelosi’s staff recently shared a video of Nancy Pelosi returning to Congress, clearly expecting it to serve as a triumphant declaration of her continued fight against Donald Trump and his allies. Instead, the clip has mostly reminded viewers that some political mainstays are stubbornly resistant to retirement. The video features an enthusiastic Pelosi announcing her journey to Washington to “proudly represent the people of San Francisco,” touting the city’s infamous “values.” If that sounded like both a threat and a promise, well, you’re not alone in thinking so.
Predictably, Pelosi’s team disabled comments on platforms like Instagram and X, but that didn’t stop others from sharing and dissecting the video. Many couldn’t resist jabs at the 84-year-old congresswoman’s resilience—or stubbornness, depending on your perspective. Observers pointed out her frail demeanor, with one commentator dryly remarking that her recent hip replacement surgery should have been a clear signal that it’s time to hang up the political hat. Another suggested term limits might be a wise policy to prevent such extended stays in Congress.
Pelosi’s recent health struggles have become a source of both concern and ridicule. Her infamous encounter with a pair of stilettos—resulting in a fractured hip and subsequent surgery—has only fueled questions about her ability to continue serving effectively. Yet, here she is, touting “San Francisco values” as if that’s something to aspire to. For many, those values are synonymous with the city’s spiraling crime rates, rampant homelessness, and even apps to track sidewalk defecation. Pelosi’s critics were quick to remind everyone that these so-called values have left much of her hometown in disarray.
Even her own constituents seem to be growing weary of San Francisco’s political climate. Recent elections in the Bay Area delivered what some described as a scathing indictment of the progressive agenda. Voters ousted several left-wing candidates and rejected policies that had previously enabled soft-on-crime measures. These defeats were part of a broader backlash against the kind of criminal justice reforms that many argue have only exacerbated the city’s problems. Yet Pelosi remains undeterred, promising to bring these values to a national stage.
As Pelosi begins her 20th term in Congress, she’ll be pushing 90 by the time it ends. While she continues to make social media appearances with her signature defiance, one can’t help but wonder if it’s time for new leadership. Her critics argue that her tenure is a relic of an era that has long since lost its luster, and her persistence serves as a reminder of the swampy stagnation she so often claims to fight against. Whether her “San Francisco values” resonate beyond the left coast remains an open question—but for many, the answer seems painfully clear.
On my way to Washington, DC to proudly represent the people of San Francisco and share our San Francisco values in the Congress of the United States. Thank you for giving me that honor! -NP pic.twitter.com/Ay8pGsNgDb
— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) January 2, 2025
