With one year left in her historic term in Congress, Nancy Pelosi has no doubts about the direction she says American politics will take. The former Speaker of the House predicted that Democrats will regain control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections and that current Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will take up the throne as the new Speaker. In an interview with Jonathan Karl for ABC News' "This Week," Pelosi emphatically corrected her interviewer when he framed the possibility of a victory as uncertain. "It's not if the Democrats take back the House, it's when," she stated. According to the legislator, the current Republican leadership in the House has abdicated its constitutional duties, becoming an appendage of the White House under Donald Trump. "Right now, the Republicans have abolished Congress. They simply do whatever the president insists they do. That will end as soon as we have the gavel," Pelosi stated, dressed in her signature tailored suit and projecting the confidence of someone who has won legislative battles for nearly 40 years. The Rise of Hakeem Jeffries and Pelosi's Legacy For the Democrat, the path to a majority has a name: Hakeem Jeffries. Pelosi spared no praise for her natural successor as party leader. She asserted that the New York representative is “ready, eloquent, and a unifier” capable of guiding the caucus toward a new period of governance. Reflecting on her own career, Pelosi recalled her beginnings in 1987, when she arrived in Congress with only 23 women. Since then, she has broken the glass ceiling by becoming the first woman to speak for the House. Despite her many achievements, she emphasized that her greatest pride remains the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which she considers a fundamental pillar for the financial stability of working families. However, her career is also marked by her tense relationship with Donald Trump. When questioned about the possibility of a third impeachment trial if the Democrats regain power, Pelosi was cautious but firm: “The only one responsible for the impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump is himself.It's not about saying 'let's impeach him,' but about responding to his violations of the Constitution.” January 6: “The darkest day” The interview also touched on sensitive issues when recalling the attack on the Capitol in 2021. Pelosi described that event as the most bitter moment of her career. “It was an assault on the Capitol, a symbol of democracy for the world… an assault on the Constitution,” she recounted, lamenting that the current president is trying to “rewrite history” of what happened that day. However, she acknowledged that her tense relationship with Trump and the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, will also mark her legacy. She described that day as “the darkest” of her presidency and asserted that it was evident the then-president “had incited an insurrection.” At 85, Pelosi maintains an active role and says her immediate priority is clear: to help Democrats regain control of the House in 2026. Afterward, she added, she hopes to contribute to a political debate that restores faith in the “goodness of the American people” and offers hope in times of deep polarization. Looking ahead to 2026, the outlook seems to be fueling Democratic optimism. With inflation at 2.7% and a string of recent local election victories in New Jersey and Virginia, the party is looking to capitalize on economic discontent. Currently, Democrats need to win just three seats to gain a majority, and they have their sights set on 40 key districts. She described that day as “the darkest” of her presidency and asserted that it was clear the then-president “had incited an insurrection.” At 85, Pelosi remains active and says her immediate priority is clear: helping Democrats regain control of the House in 2026. After that, she added, she hopes to contribute to a political debate that restores faith in the “goodness of the American people” and offers hope in times of deep polarization. Looking ahead to 2026, the outlook seems to be fueling Democratic optimism. With inflation at 2.7% and a string of recent victories in local elections in New Jersey and Virginia, the party is looking to capitalize on economic discontent. Currently, Democrats need to flip just three seats to gain a majority, and they have their sights set on 40 key districts. She described that day as “the darkest” of her presidency and asserted that it was clear the then-president “had incited an insurrection.” At 85, Pelosi remains active and says her immediate priority is clear: helping Democrats regain control of the House in 2026. After that, she added, she hopes to contribute to a political debate that restores faith in the “goodness of the American people” and offers hope in times of deep polarization. Looking ahead to 2026, the outlook seems to be fueling Democratic optimism. With inflation at 2.7% and a string of recent victories in local elections in New Jersey and Virginia, the party is looking to capitalize on economic discontent. Currently,Democrats need to flip just three seats to gain a majority, and they have their sights set on 40 key districts.