Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hinted that former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel may run for president in 2028, surprising many political observers. In an interview with The Free Press, Pelosi stated her belief that Emanuel will seek the Democratic nomination. Emanuel, who currently serves as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, didn’t confirm a run but strongly implied it, emphasizing his focus on core American issues rather than cultural battles that he believes distract from economic and political priorities. He positioned himself as an “old-school Democrat” ready to stand up to special interests and avoid the pitfalls of being perceived as “weak and woke.” Though evasive when asked directly about a campaign, he spoke confidently about preparing to “fight for America,” suggesting deeper political ambitions.

Meanwhile, Pelosi faces scrutiny over her legacy, not only as the first female Speaker of the House but also due to mounting bipartisan efforts to ban congressional stock trading. This push comes after years of criticism over the Pelosi family’s significant stock gains. The proposed legislation, informally called the PELOSI Act, is intended to prevent members of Congress and their spouses from owning or trading individual stocks. Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Josh Hawley and Rep. Mark Alford, are spearheading the initiative, citing repeated examples of lawmakers using privileged information for personal financial benefit. They argue that such actions undermine public trust in Congress and that stricter ethical standards are needed to ensure elected officials serve the people rather than their own financial interests.