SAN FRANCISCO – An assailant broke into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco residence early Friday, looking for the Democratic leader whilst shouting, “Where is Nancy, where is Nancy?”
The attack on 82-year-old Paul Pelosi has added to the nation’s already tense political atmosphere, just 11 days to the midterm elections.
It had chilling echoes of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurgency at the Capitol, when rioters chanted maniacally for the speaker as they marauded through the halls trying to prevent Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump from being certified.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was in Washington fundraising at the time of the California assault, arrived late Friday in San Francisco.
Her motorcade was spotted approaching the hospital in which her spouse was being treated for his injuries.
“This was not an accident. This was done on purpose. And it’s incorrect,” San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said.
Scott described a 911 dispatcher’s work as “lifesaving” during an evening news conference after Paul Pelosi sought assistance.
As he strongly condemned political violence, the chief seemed to to hold back tears, his voice breaking at times.
“Our elected representatives are here to conduct the business of their cities, counties, as well as states.” “This isn’t something their families sign up for,” Scott explained. “Everyone should be disgusted by this incident.”
David DePape, 42, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, elder abuse, as well as burglary and remained in the hospital late Friday, according to police. According to the speaker’s office, Paul Pelosi underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture as well as severe injuries to his right arm and hands, and his doctors anticipate him to recover fully.
Biden quickly called Speaker Pelosi to express his support and later issued a vehement condemnation of the “loathsome” attack, which he stated had no place in this country.
“There is way too much political violence.” There is too much resentment. “There’s too much vitriol,” Biden said at a Democratic rally in Pennsylvania on Friday night.
“What leads us to believe it won’t corrode the political environment?” “Enough is enough.”
Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, said he was disgusted and horrified by the attack.
The country’s political rhetoric has become progressively ominous, with ominous threats to legislators at an all-time high. The House Speaker and other congressional leaders have 24-hour security, as well as an increasing number of other members have police protection. This comes as crime and public safety have surfaced as top election issues for voters.
According to Scott, police were called to the Pelosi home in San Francisco around 2.30 a.m. on Friday to check on Paul Pelosi.
Scott clarified that the intruder entered the house through the back door in the upscale Pacific Heights community. As per two people familiar with the investigation, the intruder burst through glass-paneled doors.
According to an additional person familiar with the situation who asked to remain anonymous to discuss it, Paul Pelosi called 911 himself after telling the intruder he needed to use the restroom, in which his phone was charging. According to the source, the intruder approached the speaker’s husband, yelling, “Where is Nancy?”
Scott claims the dispatcher realized there was “something far more” going on than she was told, culminating in a prioritized dispatch as well as a faster police response. “I believe this was a life saver,” he stated
Inside, officers found the suspect, DePape, and Paul Pelosi grappling with over a hammer and ordered them to drop it, stated Scott. According to Scott, DePape snatched the hammer from Pelosi and began hitting him with it, striking at least one blow prior to getting tackled by officers and apprehended. The FBI as well as Capitol police are also party to the joint investigation.
The intent for Friday’s intrusion remains unknown, according to police, but three people with information about the case told The Associated Press that DePape meant to target Pelosi’s home. These individuals were not permitted to speak publicly about an ongoing investigation and spoke on the basis of anonymity.
The speaker had returned to Washington this week after being abroad, and was slated to appear with Vice President Kamala Harris at a fundraiser for the LGBTQ group Human Rights Initiative on Saturday night. Pelosi backed out of her appearance.
“I believe strongly that each of us has to say a word against hate, definitely against violence, as well as speak to our better selves,” Harris said on Friday.
DePape’s address in the Bay Area college town of Berkeley helped lead to a mail box at a UPS Store.
He was well-known in the community as a pro-nudity activist who staged a protest naked in opposition to laws that require people to be dressed in public.
The accused’s stepfather, Gene DePape, said the accused was a quiet boy who lived alongside him in Canada until the age of 14.
“He was quiet and reserved,” Gene DePape said, adding that “he never was violent.”
The stepfather claimed he hadn’t seen DePape since 2003 and had attempted to contact him numerous times unsuccessfulyl.
Lawmakers from both parties voiced their shock as well as best wishes to the Pelosi family.
“What happened to Paul Pelosi was a heinous act,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “Earlier this morning, I spoke with Speaker Pelosi and expressed my innermost concern and sincere wishes to her husband and their family, and I wish him a quick recovery.”
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy “checked in on Paul and said he’s praying for a full recovery,” according to spokesman Mark Bednar.
However, some Republicans refused to step away from politics.
At a campaign stop for a congressional candidate, Virginia GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin said of Pelosi, “There’s no space for violence anywhere, but we’re going to send her home to join him in California.”
Capitol Police investigated approximately 9,600 threats against members of Congress in 2021, and many members have indeed been physically assaulted in recent years.
Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head outside a Tucson grocery store in 2011, and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., was critically injured in 2017 when a shooter opened fire on a Republican congressional baseball practice session.
Members of Congress have obtained additional funds for home security, but some have pressed for even more security as individuals have also shown up at their homes.
Nancy Pelosi, the president’s 2nd in line of succession, has been ruthlessly mocked in campaign commercials by Republicans as well as outside groups this election season. Her security detail was there to protect her in Washington at the time of Friday’s attack in California.
Paul Pelosi, who frequently joins her at formal occasions in Washington, is a wealthy investor who lives primarily on the West Coast.
They have now been married for 59 years and also have five adult children as well as numerous grandchildren.
He pled earlier this year to misdemeanor DUI charges stemming from a May crash in California’s wine country and also was sentenced to 5 days in jail as well as three years’ probation.
Several protests have taken place outside Pelosi’s home in the wealthy community in recent years. After Nancy Pelosi was caught on camera getting her hair made at a salon whereas many were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, stylists demonstrated outside with curling irons. People from the Chinese community demonstrated recently prior to her trip to Taiwan.
Nonetheless, the dominant emotions on Friday were support as well as worry.
“Over the last two decades, we’ve attended many events with the Pelosis, and we’ve had many opportunities to talk about both of our families as well as the hurdles of being a part of a political family.” Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., tweeted, “Thinking about the Pelosi family today.”
Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the Senate president pro tempore and 3rd in the presidential line of succession, said at the Capitol that he had known Pelosi “forever.” “It’s just horrendous,” he said.
