The intruder who allegedly attacked the husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at their home in San Francisco was looking for the Democratic leader, shouting “Where’s Nancy, where’s Nancy?” before attacking Paul Pelosi with a hammer.
Those screams were a chilling echo of the chants during the Jan. 6, 2021, uprising at the U.S. Capitol, when rioters trying to stop the election of Joe Biden menacingly searched the halls for the speaker of the House.
Paul Pelosi was attacked and severely beaten by a hammer-wielding assailant who broke into Pelosi’s home early Friday, police said. The intruder confronted him yelling for the speaker’s whereabouts, according to another person briefed on the situation.
“The motive for this attack is still being determined,” San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said at a news conference.
The suspect was identified as David Depape, Scott said. He is under arrest.
Suspect approached, faces charges
Police responded to a call at 2:27 a.m. and arrived to find the intruder and Paul Pelosi in a struggle.
“Our officers observed Mr. Pelosi and the suspect holding a hammer,” Scott said.
“The suspect took the hammer from Mr. Pelosi and violently assaulted him with it. Our officers immediately tackled the suspect, disarmed him, took him into custody, called for emergency support and rendered medical assistance.”
Depape, 42, is being charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse and other charges, Scott said.
FBI agents work outside the San Francisco home of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, where her husband, Paul, was assaulted after a break-in. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)
Pelosi, 82, suffered blunt force injuries to her head and body, according to two people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. He was admitted to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital for his injuries, the hospital confirmed. His status was not immediately available.
Paul Pelosi is being treated by doctors for bruising, severe swelling and other injuries.
The FBI is also investigating
Capitol Police, tasked with protecting congressional leaders, said Nancy Pelosi was with her protective detail in Washington when her husband was attacked.
Police stand outside the Pelosi House in San Francisco on Friday. (Eric Risberg/The Associated Press)
Speaker Pelosi, who is second in line to the president of the United States, had just returned from a security conference in Europe this week and is due to present an advocacy act Saturday evening in Washington with Vice President Kamala Harris .
Capitol Police said the FBI and San Francisco police are also investigating. The suspect is in San Francisco police custody.
US President Joe Biden and lawmakers from both parties reacted to the assault with shock and expressed their well wishes to the Pelosi family.
“What happened to Paul Pelosi was a despicable act,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y. “I spoke with Speaker Pelosi earlier this morning and conveyed my deepest concern and sincere wishes to her husband and family, and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
“We have attended many events with Pelosi over the past two decades and had many occasions to talk about our families and the challenges of being part of a political family. Thinking of the Pelosi family today,” he tweeted. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden has also been in contact with Nancy Pelosi.
“The president is praying for Paul Pelosi and all of Speaker Pelosi’s family,” Jean-Pierre said. “He called Speaker Pelosi this morning to express his support after this horrific attack. He is also very pleased that a full recovery is expected. The President continues to condemn all violence, and asks that the privacy wishes of the family”.
US Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Twitter: “Horrified and disgusted by reports that Paul Pelosi was assaulted at his and Speaker Pelosi’s home last night. Glad to hear Paul is on his way to make a full recovery and that law enforcement, including our stellar Capitol Police are on the case.”
On Capitol Hill, Democratic Sen. Pat Leahy of Vermont, who is third in line, said he has known Paul Pelosi “forever.” He said, “It’s horrible.”
Lawmakers face more threats
The attack raises questions about the safety of members of Congress and their families. Threats to lawmakers are at an all-time high nearly two years after the Capitol uprising.
In 2021, Capitol Police investigated about 9,600 threats against members of Congress, and members of Congress have been violently attacked in recent years. Members of Congress have received additional dollars for home security, but some have pushed for more protection as people have shown up at their homes and members have received an increasing number of threatening communications.
The country’s heated politics have turned into threats in some cases, even for election officials and volunteers working ahead of the Nov. 8 midterms. The pandemic has also seen public health and education officials threatened.
Also, this year saw a man with a gun arrested near Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home in Maryland after the high court’s landmark abortion decision was leaked, while the Republican nominee Governor Lee Zeldin was accosted on stage in New York this summer.
Former House Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head outside an Arizona grocery store in 2011, leaving Congress as a result of her serious injuries. Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise was critically injured when a gunman opened fire on a Republican congressional baseball team practice in 2017.
Previous home vandalism
Paul Pelosi is an investor whose wealth has made the Speaker of the House one of the richest members of Congress. The Pelosi’s have been married for 59 years and have five grown children and several grandchildren.
In January 2021, her home was vandalized with graffiti reading “Cancel the rent” and “We want it all” painted on the house and a pig’s head left outside the garage, according to local media reports .
This was shortly after her office was ransacked during the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by supporters of then-Republican President Donald Trump, some of whom hunted her down during the assault.
Earlier this year, Pelosi pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving under the influence charges related to a May crash in California’s wine country. He was sentenced to five days in jail and three years in prison.