Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently hinted that Rahm Emanuel, the current U.S. Ambassador to Japan and former mayor of Chicago, may run for president in 2028. In an interview with The Free Press, Pelosi expressed confidence in Emanuel’s potential Democratic candidacy. Although Emanuel stopped short of officially announcing a campaign, his rhetoric suggested serious political ambition, highlighting his desire to focus on economic and political priorities over culture wars.
Emanuel described himself as an “old-school Democrat,” critical of the party’s current image as being too “weak and woke.” He emphasized his readiness to challenge special interests and redirect national attention toward core American issues. While evading a direct confirmation of a presidential run, Emanuel’s tone and language—particularly his pledge to “fight for America”—fueled speculation about his future intentions on the national stage.
At the same time, Pelosi faces renewed scrutiny over her political legacy—not just for being the first female Speaker of the House but also due to controversies involving congressional stock trading. The criticism centers on her family’s notable financial gains from the stock market during her tenure in Congress.
A bipartisan effort, led by Republican lawmakers Sen. Josh Hawley and Rep. Mark Alford, seeks to address these concerns through proposed legislation nicknamed the PELOSI Act. This bill would ban members of Congress and their spouses from owning or trading individual stocks to curb conflicts of interest.
