Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman has openly criticized former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her role in the Democratic Party’s devastating losses in the 2024 elections.
In a candid interview with Politico, Fetterman didn’t mince words when asked whether President Joe Biden should have stepped aside following his poor performance in the debate against Donald Trump. Fetterman pointed to Pelosi as a key figure who, in his view, contributed to the party’s downfall.
“People like [Nancy] Pelosi — she really leaned into this role as the ‘godmother’ or ‘enforcer.’ And now she’s blaming Biden,” Fetterman remarked, accusing Pelosi of making strategic moves that backfired.
“Well, you can’t have it both ways. You got what you wanted,” he continued, referring to Biden’s withdrawal from the race and Vice President Kamala Harris stepping in as the Democratic nominee. “And now you’re still blaming Biden.”
The Democratic Party has fractured into rival factions, with members pointing fingers at one another for the series of electoral defeats. These include failing to retake the House of Representatives, losing control of the Senate, and Trump reclaiming the White House. Pelosi, for her part, has suggested that Biden’s decision to endorse Harris prematurely hindered the party’s chances, particularly after Harris’s underwhelming performance in the general election.
Fetterman, however, took issue with Pelosi’s continued grip on leadership. “I think it’s really ironic that an 84-year-old woman is still holding onto power. Why not let a younger generation take the reins?” he said, calling for a leadership shakeup within the Democratic Party.
Fetterman also spoke out against what he sees as divisive rhetoric from Harris and other Democrats, particularly their use of the term “fascists” to describe Trump supporters. He argued that this kind of language only alienates voters.
“I love the people who are going to vote for Trump. They’re not fascists or anything like that,” Fetterman explained. “When you use terms like that, it’s hard to walk it back. Scolding voters or clutching your pearls harder — that’s not going to work for Democrats.”
Amid the mounting criticism, Pelosi faces growing pressure to step aside. Teamsters International President Sean O’Brien joined the chorus, calling on Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to make room for new leadership after Republicans regained the White House, expanded their Senate majority, and retained control of the House.
During an interview on Fox News, O’Brien argued that Pelosi and Schumer had overstayed their welcome in leadership positions and should take responsibility for the Democrats’ losses.
Despite the backlash, Pelosi has taken steps to position herself for re-election. After securing her 20th term last week, the 84-year-old filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run in 2026. However, a spokesperson for Pelosi has not confirmed whether she will officially seek re-election.
Pelosi has faced sharp criticism for her remarks about Biden’s decision to step down from the 2024 race and endorse Harris. Speaking on a New York Times podcast, Pelosi said that if Biden had stepped aside earlier, it could have allowed for a more competitive selection process to determine his successor, potentially improving the party’s standing against Trump.
Biden announced his withdrawal from the campaign in July, citing concerns about his age and his widely criticized debate performance. He endorsed Harris, joining other Democrats who had voiced concerns about his viability as a candidate. However, Harris’s campaign struggled to gain traction, and her defeat in the general election has only deepened divisions within the Democratic Party.
Reports have surfaced that Pelosi privately advised donors and party members to “speak their conscience” if they had reservations about Biden, leading many to blame her for sowing discord within the party. One House Democrat told NBC News at the time, “This is all Nancy’s doing.”
As Democrats continue to assess the fallout from the 2024 elections, Fetterman’s criticism reflects broader frustration within the party about its leadership and strategy. Whether Pelosi will step aside or persist in her role remains uncertain, but calls for change within the Democratic Party are growing louder.
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