Dem Who Led Trump Impeachment Effort To Bow Out Of Congress
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the New York Democrat who played a central role in both impeachment efforts against President Donald Trump, has announced he will not seek reelection in 2026. The 78-year-old lawmaker said he is stepping aside to make room for younger leadership within the Democratic Party.
“Watching the Biden thing really said something about the necessity for generational change in the party, and I think I want to respect that,” Nadler told The New York Times, referencing growing calls across the political spectrum for new blood in national leadership.
Legacy Of Partisan Warfare
Nadler has served in Congress since 1992, making him the longest-serving Jewish member in House history and the longest-tenured New Yorker in the chamber. He was once a key Democratic figure on the House Judiciary Committee, using that position to aggressively pursue Trump throughout his first term — particularly during the first impeachment in 2019, which centered on a phone call with Ukrainian officials.
He also supported the second impeachment effort in 2021, following the events of January 6. However, Nadler lost his committee leadership position this session as Democrats moved to elevate younger, more progressive voices within the caucus.
Facing Pressure At Home
Nadler’s exit may have been inevitable. He was expected to face a tough primary challenge from younger candidates in his heavily Democratic Manhattan district, many of whom are to the left of him ideologically.
“It’s time,” Nadler admitted, noting that he had debated staying on to continue fighting Trump but ultimately believed a fresh voice might serve his constituents better. “The next person can maybe do better, can maybe help us more.”
Broader Redistricting Fight Unfolds
Nadler’s retirement comes at a pivotal moment in the nationwide redistricting fight. In Texas, a newly approved congressional map is poised to net Republicans up to five additional U.S. House seats. Other GOP-led states are expected to follow suit, while Democrats in blue states like California are preparing countermeasures to protect or expand their own influence.
Despite Nadler’s departure, his district is not expected to flip red. The Manhattan-based seat remains one of the most reliably Democratic districts in the country.
Still, the announcement marks the end of a three-decade congressional career for one of Trump’s most vocal and enduring opponents — and signals yet another shift in a Democratic Party grappling with internal tensions and the realities of generational turnover.