Hakeem Jeffries: Nancy Pelosi’s likely successor formally declares Democratic leadership bid

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said recent elections were a rebuke to insurrection and threats to democracy, a defense of American democracy in the wake of a failed attempt to overturn the will of the voters in the violent aftermath of 2020 elections.

“American democracy is majestic, but it is fragile,” she said. “Democracy must be forever defended ... Last week, the American people spoke ... in defense of liberty, the rule of law and democracy itself..”

The results of recent elections show that “the people ... resoundingly rejected violence and insurrection.”

“And in doing so, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,” she said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her caucus and the House “must move boldly into the future” and remain “open to fresh possibilities of the future.”

She said she will continue to serve her district as the congresswoman representing San Francisco, but she will not seek re-election to a leadership role.

A widely anticipated decision from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi comes after House Republicans secured a slim majority in the lower chamber of Congress, as voters rejected an anticipated “red wave” in the House and Senate.

“The Capitol is a temple of our democracy, of our constitution and our highest ideals,” Ms Pelosi said in a speech on the House floor on Thursday.

In a statement recognising Nancy Pelosi’s departure from Democratic leadership in the House, President Joe Biden said “history will note she is the most consequential” House Speaker in history.

“There are countless examples of how she embodies the obligation of elected officials to uphold their oath to God and country to ensure our democracy delivers and remains a beacon to the world,” he said. “In everything she does, she reflects a dignity in her actions and a dignity she sees in the lives of the people of this nation.”

The president recognised her work with President Barack Obama during the economic crisis and passage of the Affordable Care Act and as the “singular force” who secured passage of critical legislation under the Biden administration, including the American Rescue Plan, the infrastructure bill, gun reform and the Inflaction Reduction Act.

“Because of Nancy Pelosi, the lives of millions and millions of Americans are better, even in districts represented by Republicans who voted against her bills and too often vilify her,” he added.

“That’s Nancy – always working for the dignity of all of the people.”

He also said that history will note her “fierceness and resolve” to protect democracy during the Capitol attack on 6 January, 2021, “a threat of political violence and intimidation that continues and she and her family know all too well” – a reference to the recent home invasion and brutal attack on her husband from an allegedly far-right radicalised suspect.

“But that will never stop her from serving our nation,” Mr Biden said. “She might be stepping down from her leadership role in the House Democratic Caucus, but she will never waiver in protecting our sacred democracy.”

Steny Hoyer, the second-ranking House Democrat who has served as House Majority Leader and Majority Whip, will also depart from Democratic leadership.

He reportedly will back congressman Hakeem Jeffries for Democratic leader in the upcoming congress.

As outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reveals her political future, The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg looks back on her legacy:

In a statement honouring Nancy Pelosi’s historic tenure, House Majority Whip James Clyburn said he looks “forward to her continued service” and “doing whatever I can to assist our new generation of Democratic Leaders which I hope to be Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar.”

Congressman Jeffries is current chair of the House Democratic Caucus. Mr Aguilar is vice chair of the Democratic Caucus.

Congresswoman Clark is the fourth-ranking Democrat, serving as assistant Democratic leader.

House Republicans previewed a swathe of investigations into President Joe Biden and his family after narrowly winning back the lower chamber in the midterms.

While the president has rejected any claims that he’s linked to any of his son’s affairs, House Republicans are pushing ahead as they attempt to grind the Democratic administration to a halt.

Notably absent from the House on Thursday: Republicans.

After winning a majority seats to take control of the House next year, the GOP side of the chamber was largely empty.

Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi included a dig at former President Donald Trump during her leadership farewell address on the floor of the House on Thursday morning.

“It’s been my privilege to play a part in forging extraordinary progress for the American people,” Ms Pelosi said. “I have enjoyed working with three presidents.”

That list does not include Mr Trump.