Nancy Pelosi on the election, Mike Johnson and LGBTQ rights

Than that Election 2024 is coming, Speaker Emeritus of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi remains firmly convinced that Vice President Kamala Harris will achieve victory as long as the Democrats vote in the elections.

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“The voices are there for us; We just have to get them out,” she predicted during a wide-ranging interview with The lawyer.

Despite her cautious optimism, Pelosi is deeply concerned about the growing influence of the Republican Party, which she sees as a troubling shift toward extremist rhetoric and action, from health care repeal to Christian nationalism, anti-LGBTQ+ politics, hate speech and a comprehensive attack on democratic principles.

While talking about the upcoming election, Pelosi saw the news about the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson Promise to “dismantle them Affordable Care Act within the first 100 days” if Republicans win. Pelosi, who helped sign the ACA into law more than a decade ago, responded immediately and was outraged by Johnson's statement. “This is an unconscionable attack on millions of Americans who rely on the ACA for basic health insurance,” she said.

For Pelosi, the ACA represents a milestone in the fight for health care justice, and she warns that its repeal would harm countless people, especially those with pre-existing conditions who would otherwise face denials or skyrocketing premiums.

“ACA is very popular, so I don't see how saying something like that before the election is going to help Republicans,” she stressed.

“This is reckless and short-sighted,” Pelosi said firmly. “The ACA has saved lives and expanded access to health care for marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ population, who have historically faced health care disparities.”

Pelosi also raised concerns about what impact a repeal would have on women's health services, mental health supports and addiction treatment — all vital services that were expanded under the ACA. “Taking that away would be catastrophic, especially at a time when so many are still recovering from the lasting effects of the pandemic,” she said.

The former House Speaker said she sees the LGBTQ+ community as a growing target of increasing hate and recently heard a story firsthand that reinforced her point of view.

“I was at an event on Tuesday and spoke to a couple from San Francisco who were faced with insults at a New York airport from Trump supporters flying in for the event Madison Square Garden rally,” Pelosi said. “Imagine two men minding their own business being harassed because of their identities. This is the America Trump fostered, where hate speech is not only normalized but rewarded.”

And LGBTQ+ hate also spread in her homeland in the form of conspiracy theories surrounding her own family. This week, David DePape was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for breaking into the San Francisco home of Pelosi and her husband. DePape told authorities he was after the former speaker. Pelso was not home at the time and attacked her husband Paul, suffering serious injuries. Afterwards, right-wing extremists falsely accused Pelosi's husband of secretly having an affair with DePape.

“One year ago Monday, my husband was attacked,” Pelosi recalled. “Yesterday his attacker was convicted and it was a very, very good decision. But do you remember what they did after the attack? They went on TV and said, “My husband and his husband.” Attackers were gay lovers and all that stuff. Of course it's ridiculous, but making it sound like being gay lovers is a bad thing. It is so hateful and so terrible at a time that has been and continues to be very difficult for our family.”

Pelosi added that she believes such incidents reveal the real effects of Donald Trump's rhetoric, which she said empowers individuals to respond openly to prejudice.

Pelosi, a practicing Catholic, is also alarmed by the surge Christian nationalism and what she sees as distortions of religious values. She warns that the movement often uses religion as a weapon against marginalized groups.

“There is nothing truly Christian about this nationalism. “It is frightening and un-Christian to use religion to justify exclusion and hatred,” she said. “These ideologies threaten democratic values, and this rhetoric obscures their divisive goals and urges voters to look beyond the facade.”

Referring to the former president Donald TrumpPelosi said: “This presidential candidate has normalized hate speech and is responsible for a nationwide shift toward discriminatory language.” It's also local, it's humorous. Hate has become normal and people act on it without feeling ashamed or taking responsibility.”

Pelosi praised the Secretary of Transportation positively Pete Buttigieg as a great replacement for Harris. “He is knowledgeable, visionary, values-driven and embodies the party’s aspirations for a united America,” she noted. “It’s encouraging to see him address the issues in a way that is both compelling and hopeful.”

Pelosi also finds common ground with former Republican U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, who recently warned that Johnson may not act impartially if Trump loses the election. Pelosi echoes Cheney's sentiments, stressing that Johnson's loyalty to Trump raises concerns about his commitment to democracy.

Cheney and Pelosi both fear that Johnson, an outspoken supporter of Trump's “big lie” that he lost the 2020 election, would try to undermine the electoral process in Trump's favor.

“We have to take him seriously,” demanded Pelosi. “Johnson’s actions could go beyond rhetoric and threaten the integrity of the electoral process. This election could determine the future of our nation.”

She sees Johnson's position as a potential “Trojan horse” for anti-democratic measures that she fears could undermine Americans' trust in democratic institutions.

“If someone shows you time and time again that they are prioritizing party over democratic principles, that is not someone who is living up to their oath,” said Pelosi, confident Democrats can take back the House. “That is why it is imperative that Hakeem Jeffries receive the gavel as Speaker of the House on January 3, 2025.”

For Pelosi, the future of American democracy is more at stake than ever. Underscoring the importance of voting, she said: “The voices are there; we just have to get them out. Our job is to mobilize, to reach voters, and to do so in a principled and effective way.”