Topline
Body-cam video released Friday of the attack on Paul Pelosi in October shows alleged assailant David DePape transitioning from calm to vicious in just moments as the police arrive at the San Francisco home of Pelosi and his wife, former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Paul Pelosi, husband of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., stands up to be recognized before President Joe … [+]
Key Facts
The bodycam footage shows officers knocking on the front door of the Pelosi house, and when the door opens DePape is standing next to Paul Pelosi, each of the men has a hand on a hammer.
When officers in the video see a hammer in DePape’s hand, they ask him to drop the weapon, and DePape says “nope” and begins attacking Pelosi.
It does not appear that either officer knew they were responding to a call at the Pelosi residence.
In the 911 call, also released, Paul Pelosi explains there’s a man waiting in his house for his wife to return, saying, “I’ve got a problem, but he thinks everything’s good,” referring to DePape.
A separate video from Pelosi’s security camera shows DePape using a hammer to break into the Pelosi residence.
The court mandated the materials be made public Wednesday, after a group of news organizations, including the Associated Press, CNN and CBS News, argued for transparency.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) told reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday she hadn’t seen the video and wasn’t sure she would, “It would be a very hard thing to see an assault on my husband’s life.”
Key Background
In October, 42-year-old DePape broke into the couple’s home looking for the speaker, shouting “Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?”, according to reports. DePape, who brought zip ties and a hammer with him, tied up Paul Pelosi, and was reportedly waiting for Nancy Pelosi—who was in Washington at the time— to return home. When police arrived, DePape and Paul Pelosi were side by side, with DePape holding a hammer that he ultimately used to strike Paul Pelosi. Paul Pelosi was hospitalized for his injuries and underwent skull and arm surgery, and he was released from the hospital days later. Before the attack, DePape promoted conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election and COVID-19 on his Facebook page, according to reports. In November he pleaded not guilty to state charges including attempted murder.
Tangent
After two decades, Nancy Pelosi stepped down from House Democratic leadership earlier this year. Her daughter, Alexandra Pelosi, told CNN in December that the attack contributed to her mother’s decision to step down. Republicans were “making jokes about an 82-year-old man getting attacked in his own home . . . I don’t know how that’s forgivable,” Alexandra Pelosi said in the CNN interview.
Further Reading
Paul Pelosi Attack Suspect Also Wanted To Target Hunter Biden And Gavin Newsom, Police Say (Forbes)
Paul Pelosi Attack Led Nancy Pelosi To Step Down From Party Leadership, Daughter Says (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/01/27/body-cam-footage-from-paul-pelosi-attack-released/