Major Controversies Surrounding Nancy Pelosi: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Nancy Pelosi—discover key moments of controversy.

Nancy Pelosi is an American politician notable for being the 52nd Speaker of the House, serving two terms (2007-2011 and 2019-2023). As a Democrat, she was the first woman to hold the Speakership and the first woman to lead a major party in Congress. Representing California's 11th congressional district since 1987, she led the House Democrats from 2003 to 2023. Her career marks a significant milestone for women in American politics and reflects a long tenure in Congress.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1915: Pelosi pledges to bring Armenian genocide resolution to a vote

In mid-October 2007, after the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution to label the 1915 killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide, Nancy Pelosi pledged to bring the measure to a vote, but later agreed to set the matter aside after House support eroded. The killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks happened in 1915.

2004: Criticized Bush Administration's Handling of Iraq War

In 2004, as minority leader, Pelosi criticized the handling of the Iraq War by President Bush and his administration, saying Bush had demonstrated areas of "incompetence".

2005: Pelosi discusses Iran's nuclear program at AIPAC conference

In 2005, during a speech at the AIPAC annual conference, Nancy Pelosi stated that leaders from both parties haven't done enough to pressure Russia and China regarding their technological assistance to Iran's nuclear program. She emphasized the need to address evidence of other nations' participation in Iran's nuclear program.

2006: Republicans Tainted Public Perception

Before the 2006 elections, Republicans made a concerted effort to taint public perception of Pelosi, running advertisements assailing her.

April 2007: Pelosi visits Syria despite Bush administration's efforts to isolate Syria

In April 2007, Nancy Pelosi visited Syria, meeting with Syrian officials including President Bashar al-Assad, despite the Bush administration's efforts to isolate Syria. During her visit, she conveyed a message of peace from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

May 2007: Pelosi criticizes Colombian President Uribe

During Colombian President Álvaro Uribe's state visit to America in May 2007, Nancy Pelosi publicly scolded him, expressing concerns about alleged links between paramilitary groups and Colombian government officials. Pelosi also opposed the Colombian free-trade agreement.

October 2007: Pelosi pledges to bring Armenian genocide resolution to a vote

2010: Republicans spent more than $65 million on ads negatively characterizing Pelosi in 2010

In the 2010 cycle, Republicans spent more than $65 million on ads negatively characterizing or invoked Pelosi.

2011: Pelosi supports military intervention in Libya

In 2011, Nancy Pelosi supported the NATO-led military intervention in Libya and also favored arming Syria's rebel fighters.

2016: Pelosi advocates for continued House investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election

In December 2017, Nancy Pelosi penned a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan urging the continuation of the House investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. She argued that Americans deserved a comprehensive and fair investigation into Russia's attack, emphasizing the stakes for America's democracy and national security that happened in 2016.

August 2017: Pelosi criticizes Trump's North Korea warning

In August 2017, Nancy Pelosi responded to President Trump's warning to North Korea, stating that his comments were "recklessly belligerent" and showed a "grave lack of appreciation for the severity of the North Korean nuclear situation". She also claimed his rhetoric eroded US credibility.

November 2017: Pelosi expresses concern over North Korea's nuclear technology sales

In November 2017, after the Pentagon informed lawmakers that a ground invasion was the only guaranteed way to eliminate North Korea's nuclear arsenal, Nancy Pelosi voiced concerns about Pyongyang potentially selling nuclear technology to other parties and advocated for exhausting all other options.

December 2017: Pelosi advocates for continued House investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election

February 2018: Pelosi accuses Trump of siding with Putin over intelligence

In February 2018, following the release of a Republican report alleging surveillance abuses by the Justice Department, Nancy Pelosi accused President Trump of siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the expense of preserving intelligence sources and methods.

June 2018: Pelosi criticizes Trump's praise of Kim Jong-un

In June 2018, Nancy Pelosi issued a statement criticizing President Trump's praise of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, asserting that Trump had elevated North Korea's status while maintaining the regime's status quo in his haste to reach an agreement.

January 2019: Pelosi criticizes Trump's planned troop withdrawal from Syria and Afghanistan

In January 2019, Nancy Pelosi criticized President Trump's plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan, calling it a "Christmas gift to Vladimir Putin".

September 2019: Pelosi meets with Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong

In September 2019, Nancy Pelosi met with Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong on Capitol Hill. Chinese media responded by accusing Pelosi of supporting radical activists.

October 2019: Pelosi condemns Trump's decision to desert Kurdish allies

In October 2019, Nancy Pelosi wrote a letter to Democratic caucus members condemning President Trump's decision to desert the U.S.'s Kurdish allies and stated it posed a dire threat to regional security.

December 2019: House Impeaches President Donald Trump

In December 2019, during her second speakership, the House impeached President Donald Trump for the first time; the Senate later acquitted him.

January 2021: Pelosi's San Francisco home vandalized

In January 2021, Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home was vandalized with graffiti, messages of "[c]ancel rent", fake blood, and a severed pig's head.

January 2021: House Impeaches President Donald Trump Again

In January 2021, the House impeached President Donald Trump for the second time; the Senate later acquitted him.

June 2021: Pelosi's husband purchases stocks in tech companies

In May and June 2021, Nancy Pelosi's husband purchased stocks in tech companies such as Alphabet, Amazon, and Apple, netting a gain of $5.3 million. This occurred while Speaker Pelosi was working on anti-trust legislation to regulate the tech industry.

April 7, 2022: Archbishop communicates concerns to Pelosi about abortion stance

On April 7, 2022, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone communicated his concerns to Nancy Pelosi regarding her pro-choice abortion policies. He stated that if she did not publicly repudiate her advocacy for abortion 'rights' or refrain from referring to her Catholic faith in public and receiving Holy Communion, he would have no choice but to make a declaration that she is not to be admitted to Holy Communion.

May 20, 2022: Pelosi barred from receiving Holy Communion by archbishop

On May 20, 2022, Salvatore Cordileone, the archbishop of San Francisco, announced that Nancy Pelosi would be barred from receiving Holy Communion due to her support of pro-choice abortion policies.

August 2, 2022: Pelosi visits Taiwan

On August 2, 2022, Nancy Pelosi became the highest-ranking U.S. government official to visit Taiwan in 25 years, despite discouragement from President Joe Biden. The visit, backed by Senate Republicans, heightened tensions between the U.S. and China. Pelosi reaffirmed the U.S. Congress's commitment to Taiwan and met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen.

August 5, 2022: China sanctions Pelosi

On August 5, 2022, the Chinese government sanctioned Nancy Pelosi for her visit to Taiwan, accusing her of interfering in China's internal affairs, undermining its sovereignty, and threatening peace in the Taiwan Strait.

October 2022: Paul Pelosi attacked in San Francisco home

In October 2022, while Nancy Pelosi was in Washington, D.C., an intruder entered her San Francisco home demanding to know her whereabouts, and attacked her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer. The assailant was later convicted.

2022: Republicans Ran Ads Negatively Characterized Pelosi in 2022

During the 2022 election cycle, Republicans ran more than $50 million in ads that negatively characterized or invoked Pelosi.

April 2024: Pelosi urges Biden to reconsider arms shipments to Israel

In April 2024, after the drone strikes on aid workers from World Central Kitchen, Nancy Pelosi and other Congressional Democrats urged President Biden to reconsider planned arms shipments to the Israeli military in an open letter.