Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was hospitalized after falling down stairs during a trip to Luxembourg. Pelosi, 83, was visiting the country as part of a bipartisan Congressional delegation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most pivotal battles of World War II.
The historic battle, which began on December 16, 1944, saw Nazi Germany launch a surprise offensive in the Ardennes region of Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. The term “bulge” refers to the temporary advance German forces made into Allied lines before the Allies successfully mounted a counter-offensive a month later.
Pelosi’s spokesperson, Ian Krager, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying she is receiving medical care but is still able to work, though she will not be attending the remaining events of the trip. “Speaker Emerita Pelosi is currently receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals. She continues to work and regrets that she is unable to attend the remainder of the CODEL engagements to honor the courage of our servicemembers during one of the greatest acts of American heroism in our nation’s history,” Krager stated.
Krager also noted Pelosi’s personal connection to the trip, mentioning that her uncle, Johnny, served in World War II. Despite the injury, Pelosi expressed gratitude toward the veterans and the people of Luxembourg and Bastogne for their contributions to peace in Europe.
Reports indicate that while Pelosi’s injuries are not considered serious, they were significant enough to force her to cancel the rest of her scheduled engagements. This incident comes as part of a troubling pattern of health concerns surrounding elderly members of Congress. Pelosi, who has had episodes in recent years involving slurred speech and mental lapses during press conferences, recently filed for re-election, signaling her intent to remain in office despite ongoing concerns.
Her fall comes shortly after news broke that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suffered a severe fall, reportedly leaving him needing assistance to walk. These incidents are sparking renewed calls for congressional term limits and age restrictions. Critics argue that many members of Congress cling to power well past the point of physical and mental competence, posing risks to effective governance.
While Pelosi’s condition is stable, her fall underscores the broader issue of aging leadership in Washington. The average age of Congressional leaders remains high, and medical episodes like these are becoming more frequent. As the calls for term limits grow louder, one can only wonder if Congress will ever seriously address the elephant in the room.
Karma, that’s what she gets for saying Trump was too old to finish another term as president. The “powers-that-be showed her that she was the old and decrepit one.