The husband of Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, was violently assaulted with a hammer during a break-in at the couple’s San Francisco home on Friday morning, October 28, reports the San Francisco Time.news.
The drama represents “a chilling escalation in a series of violence and threats against political leaders across the country”Write the Washington Post.
The suspect, identified by police as David DePape, 42, was looking for the Democrat and shouting “Where is Nancy? ”according to the information of the newspaper.
Nancy Pelosi was in Washington at the time, according to Capitol Police.
Biden slams ‘despicable’ assault
Paul Pelosi, 82, was taken to hospital and underwent surgery to repair a fractured skull and “serious injuries to the right arm and hands”Nancy Pelosi’s spokesperson said, and he is expected to make a full recovery.
San Francisco Police Chief William Scott told a news conference that police responded at 2:27 a.m. Friday to a break-in at Nancy Pelosi’s home. They found the assailant, who grabbed a hammer belonging to the Pelosi and attacked Paul Pelosi in front of the police. The police arrested David DePape. Prosecutor Brooke Jenkins said Friday that prosecutors “believe there will be enough evidence to charge him with multiple offences”, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and elder abuse. David DePape was also taken to hospital.
US President Joe Biden has denounced an attack “ignoble”.
Like an “echo” to the assault on the Capitol
The leader of the Democrats in Congress benefits from a security service provided by the Capitol police, explains the Washington Post. “Paul Pelosi, on the other hand, does not enjoy the protection of the Capitol police or any other government entity when not with him. [elle]according to three people familiar with the security protocol.”
The attack, two weeks before the midterm elections, “shakes Washington at a time of heightened fears of political violence”noted Politico.
Attack at Nancy Pelosi’s home comes “after a dramatic increase in threats since the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021”emphasizes the Washington Post. “Just this week, three men have been convicted of participating in a conspiracy to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.”
The “Where is Nancy? ” launched Friday by the assailant “echoes” to the cries that had been heard during the storming of the Capitol, “when a crowd of Donald Trump supporters chanted ‘Nancy, Nancy’ and ‘All we want is Pelosi’ as they ransacked the building, overwhelmed police and sought to stop certification” of the presidential election of November 2020, underlines the newspaper.