Pelosi’s husband attacked in home invasion targeting House speaker
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband suffered injuries Friday in an assault by a man who broke into the couple’s San Francisco residence, raising fears of political violence ahead of the midterm elections.
The 42-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene, with his motive yet to be determined, police said.
He demanded to see the speaker as he attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer, with U.S. media reporting that he shouted, “Where is Nancy?”
Nancy Pelosi, who is the third highest-ranking elected official in the United States, was not in San Francisco at the time.
Her husband underwent “successful surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands,” a spokesman for the speaker said, adding that doctors expect him to make “a full recovery.”
The incident has worrying parallels to the deadly Capitol riot in January 2021, during which a mob supporting then Republican President Donald Trump swarmed the congressional complex in an attempt to block Congress from certifying his loss in the 2020 presidential election.
While lawmakers paused the certification process and took shelter, the intruders violently clashed with police officers, smashed windows and ransacked offices.
Videos also showed hostility from the rioters toward Congress members including the House speaker, with some chanting “Where are you Nancy?”
The House speaker’s office in the complex was also ransacked.
The San Francisco police identified the suspect as David Depape, according to U.S. media. He will be charged with attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon and other criminal offenses.
As police officers arrived at the Pelosi residence at about 2:30 a.m. Friday, the suspect was seen violently assaulting Paul Pelosi with a hammer. The officers immediately tackled the suspect and took him into custody.
Both men were taken to a local hospital for treatment, according to police.
President Joe Biden described the incident as a “horrible attack” but said he is “very glad” Paul Pelosi is expected to recover, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
The attack took place less than two weeks out from the congressional midterm elections on Nov. 8, with the control of the House and Senate at stake.