Paul Pelosi Underwent Surgery After Alleged Hammer Attack At Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Home

Topline

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul Pelosi underwent skull and arm surgery after he was allegedly violently attacked with a hammer at the couple’s San Francisco home early Friday–indicating his injuries are much more serious than previously described.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 28: San Francisco police chief Bill Scott speaks to reporters … [+] about the break in and attack at the home of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on October 28, 2022 in San Francisco, California. Paul Pelosi, the husband of U.S. Speaker of the house Nancy Pelosi, was violently attacked in their home by an intruder. One arrest has been made. Speaker Pelosi was not at home at the time of the attack. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Key Facts

Paul Pelosi, 82, “underwent successful surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands,” at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, a spokesperson for the House speaker said in a statement, and he is expected to make a full recovery.

The speaker, who was in Washington at the time of the alleged attack, was en route to San Francisco as of Friday afternoon, according to NBC.

Earlier reports described Paul Pelosi’s injuries as relatively minor; sources told the Associated Press he was being treated for swelling and bruising.

Several outlets, including ABC News’ San Francisco affiliate, cited sources who initially described the procedure as “brain surgery,” before clarifying he was undergoing “skull surgery” and had “significant” injuries.

Key Background

The accused attacker, 42-year-old David Depape, broke into the couple’s home in search of the speaker, according to reports that said he yelled “Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?” before attempting to tie Paul Pelosi up while he waited for the speaker to come home. When police arrived, Paul Pelosi and Depape were struggling over a hammer before Depape ripped the weapon from Pelosi’s hands and began to attack him, San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said Friday. Depape was arrested and will be charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse and other felonies, Scott said. While Depape’s alleged motive remains unclear, he filled his Facebook page with conspiracies about the 2020 presidential election being stolen from former President Trump, according to reports. The account reportedly did not mention Pelosi, who is a fervent critic of Trump and was targeted by his supporters during the January 6 Capitol riot. The alleged attack comes amid a rise in threats, intimidation and violence against government officials as an increasing number of Americans believe the future of democracy is in peril and view political violence as acceptable.

Tangent

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) was criticized on Friday after saying “we’re going to send [Pelosi] back to be with” her husband while speaking at a campaign rally for Republican congressional candidate Yesli Vega. The comment was an apparent reference to GOP efforts to unseat Democrats in the upcoming midterm election. Youngkin also condemned the attack and said “there’s no reason for violence anywhere.”

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