In a recent revelation from her new book, 'The Art of Power,' former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shared details of a phone call she had with former President Donald Trump just hours before launching the first impeachment investigation in 2019. Pelosi described the conversation as contentious, with Trump defending his actions and Pelosi explaining her decision to move forward with the investigation.
During the call, Trump repeatedly claimed that his call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was perfect and denied any wrongdoing. Pelosi, drawing on her experience on the House Intelligence Committee, emphasized the need to investigate the allegations stemming from an anonymous whistleblower complaint.
Despite Trump's insistence that the call was flawless, Pelosi maintained that the truth would come out and urged him not to be afraid of the investigation. The call lasted for over 20 minutes, with Pelosi reflecting that she often found herself questioning Trump's understanding of the situation.
Impeachment and Acquittal
In December 2019, the House impeached Trump on a party-line vote following a Democratic-led investigation into allegations of pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rivals. However, Trump was acquitted in the Senate in February 2020.
Personal Trauma
Aside from the political turmoil, Pelosi also shared a deeply personal account of the violent attack against her husband, Paul, in October 2022. The attacker was sentenced to 30 years in prison, leaving Pelosi and her family grappling with the emotional and physical aftermath of the incident.
The attack had a profound impact on Pelosi and her family, with her youngest daughter expressing regret over her mother's public service career. Pelosi detailed how the attack continues to affect their daily lives, with family members avoiding certain parts of their home and Paul enduring ongoing physical repercussions.
Through her book, Pelosi offers a glimpse into the challenges and complexities of her political career and personal life, shedding light on the human side of high-stakes politics.
