Nancy Pelosi, a towering figure in US politics, a leading Trump foe and the first woman to serve as House of Representatives speaker, announced Thursday that she will step down at the next election.

Admired as a master strategist with a no-nonsense leadership style that delivered for her party, the 85-year-old Democrat shepherded historic legislation through Congress as she navigated America's bitter partisan divide.

In later years, she was a fierce adversary of President Donald Trump, twice leading his impeachment and stunning Washington in 2020 when she ripped up a copy of his speech to Congress live on television.

"I want you, my fellow San Franciscans, to be the first to know I will not be seeking reelection to Congress," she said in a video statement pointedly aimed at her hometown

See Full Page