In early 2019, at a memorial for psychiatrist Dr. David Hamburg, numerous mental health professionals expressed to Nancy Pelosi their concerns about Donald Trump’s deteriorating mental and psychological state. Pelosi, former Speaker of the House, recounts these encounters in her upcoming memoir, “The Art of Power: My Story as America’s First Woman Speaker of the House,” which is set to be released next week.
Pelosi served as Speaker during two periods, including Trump’s tumultuous presidency from 2019 to 2023. Her book arrives amidst the 2024 presidential campaign, where Trump seeks a third consecutive nomination.
The memoir addresses ongoing questions about Trump’s fitness for office, highlighting his advanced age, erratic speeches, and controversial actions, including two impeachments and numerous legal challenges.
Pelosi clarifies she did not seek assessments of Trump’s mental health at the memorial but openly discusses her personal observations of his behavior in the book. She describes Trump as “imbalanced” and “unhinged,” citing instances of volatile conduct and disputes with congressional leaders.
Reflecting on the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, Pelosi details her efforts to safeguard congressional leaders and the subsequent calls for Trump’s removal from office. She recalls urging Vice-President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, which allows for the removal of a president deemed unfit to serve, but Pence did not respond.
Despite Pence’s actions during the attack, Pelosi expresses disappointment in his failure to act on the 25th Amendment initiative. She concludes with criticism of Trump’s presidency, asserting his danger to the country and the missed opportunities to address his behavior.
Pelosi’s memoir provides a firsthand account of her interactions with Trump and the consequential events that marked his presidency, offering insights into her assessments of his leadership and the challenges faced during his tenure.
