Suspect in Paul Pelosi attack charged with federal crimes

San Francisco, California - The US Department of Justice on Monday filed federal assault and kidnapping charges against David DePape, the suspect in a violent attack last week against Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The scene outside the home of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi after a violent home invasion. The suspect is now facing federal charges.
The scene outside the home of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi after a violent home invasion. The suspect is now facing federal charges.  © JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

DePape (42) is accused of breaking into the Pelosis' San Francisco home early last Friday, and attacking Paul Pelosi with a hammer.

The 82-year-old Pelosi is recovering from surgery at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital "to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands," said Drew Hammill, a spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi’s office.

DePape was booked that Friday afternoon on suspicion of attempted murder, first-degree burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, threatening a family member of a public official, elder abuse, battery with serious bodily injury, dissuading a witness, and injuring a wireless device.

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Federal charges against him include assault on the immediate family member of a federal official, and attempted kidnapping of a federal official. The charges faces him with a maximum of 50 years in prison.

A Times review of his online accounts shows that DePape had been drifting further into the world of far-right conspiracies, antisemitism, and hate.

While authorities know that DePape was there for Nancy, police have not offered a direct motive for the attack.

Nancy Pelosi was the target of DePape's home invasion

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who wasn't home during the assault, was the assailants actual target.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who wasn't home during the assault, was the assailants actual target.  © DENIS LOVROVIC / AFP

Chilling new details continue to emerge about what took place that morning.

At a news conference Sunday, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said DePape was looking for Nancy Pelosi when he broke into the Pacific Heights home. A source who was briefed on the attack said the assailant repeatedly shouted, "Where is Nancy?" after entering.

"It was a forced entry to the rear door of the home... He ultimately made his way upstairs, where he confronted Mr. Pelosi," she said.

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Pelosi told the intruder that he had to use the bathroom, then made a subtle 911 call on his cellphone and left the line open, sources familiar with the attack told the Times. Dispatcher Heather Grives could hear Pelosi talking to his attacker and alerted officers to the scene.

The assailant attempted to tie up Pelosi "until Nancy got home," and when officers arrived, he said, "We are waiting for Nancy."

Fortunately, Paul Pelosi is expected to make a full recovery.

Cover photo: JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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