Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., may have taken a step back from leadership within the Democratic party, but the San Francisco congresswoman still holds incredible power and sway with her House colleagues.

But while Pelosi was rumored to have played a role in helping President Joe Biden reach the conclusion that his reelection campaign was untenable — after more than 40 Democrats in the House and Senate called for him to pass the torch — the longtime House leader said don’t believe everything you read.

“When I see the press say ‘she said this, and I have two anonymous sources,’ I think you couldn't possibly have any anonymous sources, because I don't talk about what I talk about with the president of the United States,” Pelosi told Spectrum News in an interview with about her new book, “The Art of Power,” which took place one day after President Biden bowed out of the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in his stead. 

“Some of what you have seen is, I don't know, anonymous sources. And I say to the reporters, ‘do you think I would say that to the President? No? Then why are you printing it? ‘Well, because I have two anonymous sources.’”

“Let's not give me more credit than I deserve for all of this,” she added.

Pelosi professes to keeping a small circle of trust, saying that she doesn’t want to “burden people” with information — or, perhaps more precisely, burdening them with keeping information to themselves. Keeping the circle tight keeps people from trying to leverage that information with members of the press, building their own narrative.

Still, that doesn’t entirely prevent half-informed rumors from being spread by colleagues to the press, which she laments. “It's really sad, because even when the press have come to me and asked, ‘is this true?’” she said. “Did the President tell you that? Because he was the only other person in the room, so I don't think you have the facts right.’”

The former speaker went on to add that any conversations she has with the president are confidential, but said “the President made his own decision about the future.”

“I do believe that Biden will be considered one of the most consequential presidents in American history,” Pelosi said. “In a short period of time, he accomplished so much, a high percentage of what Lyndon Johnson did, what Franklin Roosevelt did — he enhanced what Barack Obama did with the Affordable Care Act. He made it even better and stronger, more affordable for people,” Pelosi added. 

“He's a great president and a good person, and we want to make sure his legacy is preserved,” she added.

Part of preserving that legacy is electing Harris in November. Pelosi warned that it would be “a difficult road,” but that she gives Harris “credit for her courage.”

“She has been vice president of the United States, so she knows that she has a grasp of the responsibility, the depth of knowledge that is needed — and people don't know this about it, but she is politically savvy. She wouldn't be where she is, coming up through the district attorney, the attorney general of our state, a senator, and now the vice president. Those first three required political savvy.”

Pelosi said she was “very proud” of Harris, who served as district attorney for Pelosi’s home city of San Francisco from 2004 to 2010

“I know her astuteness, politically. And personally, I know her as a very good person who cares really about people,” she said. “She's a person of faith and goodness, and I'm excited about her candidacy.”

The Speaker Emerita’s eyes lit up at the thought of a woman being sworn in on Election Day. After all, Pelosi said, she thought she would see the first woman elected President in 2016.

“I myself still find it hard to believe that Hillary Clinton did not win. This was the best prepared woman – a person, forget woman – the best prepared person to run for president. Better prepared than Barack Obama, he would admit that. George Bush, he might not admit it, but her own husband, Bill Clinton. She brought so much … secretary of state, a United States Senator, a first lady, this or that, to the table, and the fact that for one reason or another, she was not elected, was shocking, and I'm rarely surprised in politics”

Pelosi doesn’t mince words when it comes to Clinton’s opponent and now Harris’, former President Donald Trump, though she often avoids using his name when she can. She cites Project 2025 and Trump’s “Agenda 47” as real concerns if he were reelected, calling it “destructive.”

“Widening the wealth gap, reducing women's freedoms and right to choose…abandoning our global responsibilities, not even respecting our responsibilities in nature. I mean, the list goes on and on. We could spend a whole day on him,” she said.

But Pelosi is adamant this time will be different than 2016.

“Our plan is to have a woman president.”

Time will tell if Pelosi’s skills extend to predicting the future.