Topline
The Department of Justice and San Francisco District Attorney’s office announced charges Monday against the man accused of attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul Pelosi last week, with the DOJ alleging in court papers the attack suspect told police he wanted to “hold Nancy hostage” and break “her kneecaps.”
Paul Pelosi and Nancy Pelosi attend the TIME 100 Gala Red Carpet at Lincoln Center on April 23, 2019 … [+]
Key Facts
Federal prosecutors charged David DePape, 42, with assault on the immediate family member of a federal official and attempted kidnapping of a federal official, which carry maximum sentences of 30 and 20 years, respectively, if he’s convicted.
Separately, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said Monday afternoon her office is filing charges for attempted murder, residential burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, false imprisonment of an elder and threats to a public official.
The FBI revealed in an affidavit filed Monday that DePape told San Francisco Police Department officers after the attack he wanted to “hold Nancy hostage and talk to her,” and break “her kneecaps” to set an example for other members of Congress who fail to tell the “truth.”
DePape also allegedly told local police he “wanted to use Nancy to lure another individual” who is not identified in the federal complaint.
What To Watch For
DePape will be arraigned Tuesday, and local prosecutors will motion to detain him without bail, Jenkins said in a press conference Tuesday. Jenkins said the FBI and San Francisco Police Department are both investigating the attack, and they expect to lead “parallel prosecutions” of DePape.
Key Background
The FBI says DePape admitted to local police he broke into the Pelosis’ home around 2 a.m. Friday by breaking a glass door with a hammer he brought there, with Jenkins adding the Pelosis were “specifically targets of the defendants.” He then allegedly woke up Paul Pelosi and asked about the House speaker’s whereabouts—but she was in Washington at the time. DePape told police he tried to restrain Paul Pelosi with twist ties, but Pelosi called 911 while in the bathroom, and when police arrived two minutes later, DePape and Pelosi were struggling over a hammer, according to Jenkins. DePape allegedly took control of the hammer and hit Pelosi in the head while police were present. Police found a second hammer, a roll of tape, rope and two pairs of gloves in the backpack DePape was carrying, and additional hammers and a sword were discovered at the garage where DePape lived in Richmond, Calif., the FBI affidavit states. DePape was arrested immediately after the attack and Paul Pelosi, 82, was taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture and injuries to his hands and right arm, Pelosi’s office said in a statement.
Tangent
DePape reportedly shared conspiracy theories on his social media page, including false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from former President Donald Trump, falsehoods about the Covid-19 pandemic and white supremacist credos backed by the QAnon conspiracy.
Further Reading
Pelosi Attacker: QAnon And White Supremacist Ideas Linked To Alleged Assailant (Forbes)
Paul Pelosi Attacker Identified — Allegedly Entered Home With Hammer Asking ‘Where Is Nancy?’ (Forbes)
Alleged Pelosi Attacker Reportedly Carried Bag Of Zip Ties (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2022/10/31/state-and-federal-charges-announced-against-pelosi-attack-suspect/