“Yesterday morning, a violent man broke into our family home, demanded to confront me and brutally attacked my husband, Paul. Our children, our grandchildren and I are heartbroken and traumatized by the life-threatening attack on our Pop,” reads a message to colleagues from White House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, published Oct. 29.
On Oct. 28, Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was attacked and beaten with a hammer by an intruder in their San Francisco home. The attacker was 42-year-old David DePape, an illegal immigrant originally from Canada.
“DePape is charged with one count of assault of an immediate family member of a United States official… DePape is also charged with one count of attempted kidnapping of a United States official,” states the U.S. Department of Justice.
The Federal Criminal Complaint regarding the case describes in detail the events that allegedly occurred at the home. DePape entered the residence by breaking a glass door with his hammer. When he located only Paul Pelosi in the bedroom of the house, he removed zip ties from his pocket with a motive to tie Pelosi up.
Pelosi was able to call 911 by entering the bathroom, where his phone was located.
“DePape explained that he did not leave after Pelosi’s call to 911 because, much like the American founding fathers with the British, he was fighting against tyranny without the option of surrender,” states the complaint.
“Inside, police discovered the suspect, DePape, and Paul Pelosi struggling over a hammer, and told them to drop it, Scott said,” claims The Associated Press, referencing the statements of San Francisco Police Chief William Scott. “DePape yanked the hammer from Pelosi and began beating him with it, striking at least one blow, before being tackled by officers and arrested, Scott said.”
“A police car blocks the street below the home of Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 28, 2022”. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) 
“Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and her husband, Paul Pelosi, arrive at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors State Department Dinner, on Dec. 7, 2019, in Washington.” (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File)
“Generally speaking, this attack on Speaker Pelosi’s husband could be considered a form of domestic terrorism,” said Dr. James McCabe, professor in the criminal justice and government department.
With midterm elections under two weeks away from the attack, intentions were clear. Though Pelosi’s husband was ultimately dealt the brunt of the damage, DePape had a politically motivated plot initially.
According to the complaint, DePape described Pelosi as the leader of the pack of lies of the Democratic Party. He intended to break her kneecaps to show other Members of Congress that there are consequences to their actions.
“There is an undercurrent of anti-government extremism going on here. There are hundreds of groups in this country that believe the federal government is tyrannical and that liberal elites are trying to create an anti-American society,” said McCabe.“They believe the last election was illegitimate/stolen and peddle in conspiracy theories, even ones that claim this attack didn’t occur.”
Although DePape was unsuccessful in his original plan, he still beat Pelosi to the point of Pelosi being hospitalized for his injuries.
Pelosi was released from the hospital on Nov. 3, after being treated for nearly a week following the attack.
“Paul remains under doctors’ care as he continues to progress on a long recovery process and convalescence,” reads a statement made by Nancy Pelosi.
