Pelosi exerts influence to oust Nadler as Judiciary panel's ranking member

Despite what reports suggest was her outsized role in setting the stage for the Democrats' defeat in November's presidential election, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appears to have been at it again in terms of wielding her influence to engineer her party's future.

According to the New York Times, Pelosi, now a rank-and-file lawmaker from California, is pulling strings behind the scenes to steer the leadership of key House panels for the incoming Congress, notably pushing Judiciary Committee ranking member Jerry Nadler (D-NY) aside in favor of Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)

Nadler bows out

As The Hill reports, it was on Wednesday that Nadler gave up the fight to retain his spot atop the Judiciary panel, one which was also coveted by challenger Raskin.

Nadler sent a letter to his colleagues explaining the decision and announcing his endorsement of the Democrat from Maryland to assume the role instead.

In his communication, Nadler said that he wished to usher in a new generation of leadership of which Raskin, he believes, can play a part.

“I am also proud that, under my leadership, some of our caucus's most talented rising stars have been given a platform to demonstrate their leadership and their abilities,” Nadler said.

He went on, “That includes Jamie Raskin, who in just a few terms in Congress has already proven himself to be an exceptional leaders and spokesperson for our party's values,” also referencing the “growing danger” he believes the incoming Trump administration to represent.

Pelosi's role in departure

Nadler's decision came as a surprise to many, given his lengthy tenure in the lower chamber and his role in shepherding two impeachments of then-President Donald Trump.

However, the noteworthy election losses suffered by Democrats in November has led to a reassessment of leadership, with Pelosi reportedly attempting to steer the ship despite no longer holding the top job in her party.

As Axios noted, it was on Wednesday that Pelosi indicated that she was indeed supporting “some” of the machinations designed to oust old-guard committee ranking members in the hopes of bringing new blood into the positions.

Amid reports that the shift on the Judiciary panel was among those for which Pelosi had pushed and after Nadler made his decision known, the former speaker said, “He's been a great leader, and he's greatly appreciated.”

She went on, “And now he's made a decision which we respect,” seemingly downplaying her apparent role in facilitating the outcome.

“Take a seat”

Not everyone within the Democratic Party ranks is pleased about Pelosi's continued maneuvering, however, particularly in light of Kamala Harris' crushing defeat at the hands of Trump roughly one month ago, with one senior legislative colleague recently opining, “She needs to take a seat.”

Another member of the Congressional Black Caucus put it this way, “I understand that this is a difficult transition for her, not being the leader, but she is not. She needs to understand what her new role is,” but that may not be something the speaker emerita's ego is quite ready to allow.