Democrats will regain control of the US House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, Nancy Pelosi has predicted, saying her party must then move swiftly to reassert congressional authority from the White House.
The former House speaker said she had no doubt that Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader from New York, would become speaker after the elections held midway through Donald Trump’s second term as president.
“None,” Pelosi said when asked on ABC News’s This Week whether she had any doubts about Jeffries’ prospects. “Hakeem Jeffries is ready. He’s eloquent, respected by the members and a unifier.”
Pelosi, who represented California for two decades, said Democrats must reclaim powers she believes Republicans in Congress have surrendered to Trump.
“Right now, Republicans in the Congress have abolished the Congress,” she said, adding that lawmakers were simply carrying out the president’s demands. “That will be over. That ends as soon as we have the gavel.”
Her confidence is shared by many within the Democratic party. A November Gallup poll showed Trump’s approval rating at 36%, with 60% disapproving, fuelling expectations of losses for Republicans in 2026.
Historically, the party holding the White House tends to suffer setbacks in midterm elections, a pattern Republicans are increasingly bracing for.
Several Republican senators have announced they will not seek re-election, including Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Joni Ernst of Iowa and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama.
In the House, more than two dozen Republican members have indicated they will not stand again, prompting speculation that some are seeking to avoid a difficult election cycle.
Pelosi announced in November that she would retire at the end of her current term in early 2027. The 85-year-old cited her age, bringing to a close a career that began in 1988 and saw her become the first woman to serve as speaker of the House.
She said returning control of the House to Democrats would be among her final political goals.
“By and large, the American people are good people,” Pelosi said. “I would like to take us back to a place where governance and politics understand that, and where people are given hope.”
