Biden condemns ‘despicable’ attack that left Pelosi’s husband with fractured skull
US president: ‘Enough is enough is enough’; suspect allegedly spread antisemitic conspiracy theories online; some Republican lawmakers condemn attack
US President Joe Biden has called Friday’s attack on US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband “despicable.”
An intruder attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer, fracturing his skull in the early hours after breaking into the couple’s California house in search of the speaker, according to officials.
Addressing a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Biden said political violence had “no place” in the United States, adding “Enough is enough is enough.”
“There’s too much violence, political violence. Too much hatred. Too much vitriol,” Biden said.
Biden also referenced media reports that the assailant was chanting “Where is Nancy,” the same chant used during the deadly January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
“I am not making this up,” Biden said. “This is reported.”
Paul Pelosi was “attacked at home by an assailant who acted with force, and threatened his life while demanding to see the speaker,” Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said earlier Friday.
Paul Pelosi, 82 — who underwent surgery and is recovering in the hospital — was at home alone at the time of the attack as his wife was working in Washington.
Speaker Pelosi arrived in San Francisco late Friday.
Her motorcade was seen arriving at the hospital where her husband was being treated for his injuries.
“This was not a random act. This was intentional. And it’s wrong,” said San Francisco Police Chief William Scott.
At an evening news conference, Scott hailed a 911 dispatcher’s work — after Paul Pelosi called for help — as “lifesaving.”
Inside the home, police discovered the suspect, David DePape, and Paul Pelosi struggling over a hammer, and told them to drop it, Scott said
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.
The FBI and Capitol Police are also part of the joint investigation
Forty-two-year-old DePape was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, elder abuse, and burglary, and remained in the hospital late Friday, police said.
DePape had reportedly previously spread antisemitic conspiracy theories online.
Lawmakers from both parties reacted with shock and expressed their well-wishes to the Pelosi family.
“What happened to Paul Pelosi was a dastardly act,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“I spoke with Speaker Pelosi earlier this morning and conveyed my deepest concern and heartfelt wishes to her husband and their family, and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell tweeted he was “horrified and disgusted” by the assault.
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy reached out privately to the speaker “to check in on Paul and said he’s praying for a full recovery,” spokesman Mark Bednar said.
But some Republicans declined to pause from politics.
Virginia GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin, at a campaign stop for a congressional candidate, said of the Pelosis, “There’s no room for violence anywhere, but we’re going to send her back to be with him in California.”
In 2021, Capitol Police investigated around 9,600 threats made against members of Congress, and several members have been physically attacked in recent years.
Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head at an event outside a Tucson grocery store in 2011, and Rep.
Steve Scalise was severely injured when a gunman opened fire on a Republican congressional baseball team practice in 2017.
Members of Congress have received additional money for security at their homes, but some have pushed for yet more protection as people have shown up at their residences.
Nancy Pelosi, who is second in line of succession to the president, has been viciously lampooned in campaign ads by Republicans and outside groups this election cycle.
Her protective security detail was with her in Washington at the time of Friday’s attack in California.
