{{Short description|2022 assault in San Francisco, California}} {{Good article}} {{pp-semi|small=yes|expiry=17:19, 19 September 2028}} {{pp-pc}} {{Use American English|date=October 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox civilian attack | title = Attack on Paul Pelosi | image = David DePape grabbing Paul Pelosi.jpg | caption = DePape (left) preparing to hit Pelosi (right) | type = Attempted kidnapping (Nancy Pelosi),<ref>{{Cite news |title=Man who attacked speaker's husband Paul Pelosi facing attempted homicide charge – as it happened: Summary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2022/oct/28/democrats-obama-midterms-republicans-us-politics-live-updates?page=with:block-635c53f88f082fdc8beb0615#block-635c53f88f082fdc8beb0615 |url-status=live |work=The Guardian |date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030000446/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2022/oct/28/democrats-obama-midterms-republicans-us-politics-live-updates?page=with:block-635c53f88f082fdc8beb0615 |archive-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref><ref name=WaPo.Demonizing>{{Cite news |title=Attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband follows years of GOP demonizing her |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/29/paul-pelosi-attack-republicans-target/ |url-status=live |date=October 29, 2022 |access-date=October 31, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |first1=Ashley |last1=Parker |first2=Hannah |last2=Allam |first3=Marianna |last3=Sotomayor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031124531/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/29/paul-pelosi-attack-republicans-target/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> kidnapping (Paul Pelosi), home invasion, assault with a deadly weapon | image_size = | location = San Francisco, California, U.S. | coordinates = | target = Nancy Pelosi<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nancy-pelosis-husband-violently-assaulted-at-their-san-francisco-home/ |title=Suspect shouted 'Where is Nancy?' before assaulting Pelosi's husband at home, source says |work=CBS News |last1=Kaplan |first1=Rebecca |last2=Watson |first2=Kathryn |date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031010622/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nancy-pelosis-husband-violently-assaulted-at-their-san-francisco-home/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> | date = {{Start date and age|2022|10|28}} | time = {{Circa}} 2:31 a.m. | timezone = PDT | weapons = Hammer | victim = Paul Pelosi Sr. (survived) | perpetrator = David Wayne DePape<ref name="NBCNewsInfo">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/live-blog/nancy-pelosi-husband-paul-assault-rcna54574#rcrd6151 |url-status=live |title=Police identify Paul Pelosi's attacker as David DePape |last=Gregorian |first=Dareh |date=October 28, 2022 |work=NBC News |access-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031170143/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/live-blog/nancy-pelosi-husband-paul-assault-rcna54574 |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> | verdict = Found guilty on all Federal counts and 5 of 6 State counts<ref name="depapefoundguilty">{{cite news |last1=Deliso |first1=Meredith |last2=Pong |first2=Annie |title=David DePape found guilty in federal trial over Paul Pelosi hammer attack |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/paul-pelosi-hammer-attack-federal-trial-verdict/story?id=104879502 |website=ABC News |date=November 16, 2023 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116201212/https://abcnews.go.com/US/paul-pelosi-hammer-attack-federal-trial-verdict/story?id=104879502 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref> | motive = Belief in conspiracy theories<br>Desire to kidnap and interrogate Nancy Pelosi | convictions = '''Federal:''' * Attempted kidnapping of a federal official * Assaulting an immediate member of a federal official's family and inflicting a serious injury with a dangerous weapon '''California:'''<br> * Threatening the family member of a public official * First-degree burglary * False imprisonment of an elder * Aggravated kidnapping * Preventing or dissuading a witness by force or threat | charges = '''California:''' * Attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse (dismissed during trial){{Infobox event | title = | child = yes | sentence = '''Federal''':<br>30 years in prison<br>'''California''':<br>Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole}} }}
On October 28, 2022, 42-year-old David Wayne DePape attacked Paul Pelosi, the husband of Nancy Pelosi, the 52nd speaker of the United States House of Representatives. DePape beat Paul with a hammer during a home invasion of the couple's Pacific Heights, San Francisco, residence, leaving him with a fractured skull that required surgery.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Radicalized': Paul Pelosi attacker takes stand, testifies on right-wing conspiracies |url=https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-radicalized-paul-pelosi-attacker-takes-stand-testifies-on-right-wing-conspiracies-197980741863 |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=MSNBC.com |language=en}}</ref>
San Francisco police arrested DePape at the scene. He planned to take Speaker Nancy Pelosi hostage and interrogate her. Prosecutors believed the attack to be politically motivated. DePape, a Canadian immigrant to the United States, had a history of mental health issues and drug abuse. Before the attack, he had embraced various far-right conspiracy theories, including QAnon, Pizzagate,<ref name="depapetheories">{{cite news |last1=Lin |first1=Summer |last2=Hernandez |first2=Salvador |last3=Castleman |first3=Terry |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Accused Pelosi attacker David DePape spread QAnon, other far-right, bigoted conspiracies |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-28/pelosi-attack-suspect-david-depape-shared-conspiracy-theories |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031203602/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-28/pelosi-attack-suspect-david-depape-shared-conspiracy-theories |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref><ref name="102822Vice"></ref> and Donald Trump's false claims of a stolen election in 2020.<ref name="CNN 2022-10-28" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Anguiano |first=Dani |date=2024-05-17 |title=David DePape, who bludgeoned Nancy Pelosi’s husband, sentenced to 30 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/17/nancy-paul-pelosi-attacker-sentenced-david-depape |access-date=2025-09-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Online, he made conspiratorial, racist, sexist, and antisemitic posts, and pushed COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. His blog also contained delusional thoughts.<ref name="depapetheories"/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web | title=Web archive of Depape's frenlyfrens blog | url=https://www.frenlyfrens.com/blog/categories/communism | access-date=2022-10-28 | archive-date=October 28, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028174445/https://www.frenlyfrens.com/blog/categories/communism | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> At his subsequent trial, DePape testified that he was motivated by conspiracy theories and had hatched a "grand plan" to target Speaker Pelosi and others.
On October 31, DePape was charged with two federal crimes: assault of an immediate family member of a federal official with the intent to retaliate against the official on account of the performance of official duties; and attempted kidnapping of a federal official on account of the performance of official duties. He was also charged with six state felonies, including attempted murder, residential burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, and elder abuse. Within days, prominent right-wing figures, including then-former president Donald Trump, shared disinformation and misinformation<!--Disinformation and misinformation are different concepts, and sources use both terms, so please leave both in. --> about the attack, casting doubt on the assailant's motives and claiming that the attack was a false flag operation. Other politicians, including Democrats and Republicans, condemned the attack.
DePape was convicted of the federal charges on November 16, 2023. On May 17, 2024, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison and five years of supervised release from the federal charges. DePape was also convicted of five state charges on June 21, 2024, and subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on October 29, 2024.
== Break-in and attack == left|thumb|San Francisco home of Paul and Nancy PelosiDuring a police interview, David DePape said that he had gained access to the Pelosi residence by breaking through glass-paneled doors at the rear of the house.<ref name="ArrestFBIAffidavit">{{Cite web |url-status=live |date=October 31, 2022 |title=READ: DOJ announces charges against David DePape, Paul Pelosi's suspected attacker|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/31/politics/read-charges-paul-pelosi-david-depape/index.html |access-date=October 31, 2022 |work=CNN|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031225130/https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/31/politics/read-charges-paul-pelosi-david-depape/index.html |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref><ref name="SuspectChargedCNN">{{cite news |first1=Zachary |last1=Cohen| first2=Marshall |last2=Cohen |first3=Evan |last3=Perez |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/31/politics/paul-pelosi-suspect-charged/index.html |title=Paul Pelosi suspect charged with attempting to kidnap House speaker and attempted murder |work=CNN |date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101000454/https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/31/politics/paul-pelosi-suspect-charged/index.html |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> Subsequently released police body-worn camera footage showed the broken glass on the ground,<ref name="LATimesNewDetails">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-31/shocking-new-details-blow-up-conspiracy-theories-about-paul-pelosi-attack |title=Shocking new details blow up conspiracy theories about Paul Pelosi attack |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=October 31, 2022 |first1=Summer |last1=Lin |first2=Salvador |last2=Hernandez |first3=Terry |last3=Castleman |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221031233225/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-31/shocking-new-details-blow-up-conspiracy-theories-about-paul-pelosi-attack |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> and home surveillance video showed DePape breaking into the back of the house with repeated hammer blows.<ref name="Forrest"/> At the time of the break-in, Paul Pelosi, age 82, was sleeping in a third-floor bedroom.<ref name="ArrestFBIAffidavit" /><ref name="SuspectChargedCNN" /> The intruder intentionally woke Pelosi and demanded to speak to "Nancy"; when Pelosi said that she was not home, the intruder said he would wait.<ref name="ArrestFBIAffidavit" /><ref name="SuspectChargedCNN" /><ref name="NBCSuspectPlanned">{{cite news |last1=Shabad |first1=Rebecca |last2=Dilanian |first2=Ken |last3=Blankstein |first3=Andrew |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Suspect in Paul Pelosi attack planned to break House speaker's kneecaps, DOJ says in filing charges |publisher=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/doj-paul-pelosi-federal-charges-david-depape-rcna54802 |access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031235747/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/doj-paul-pelosi-federal-charges-david-depape-rcna54802 |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> thumb|left|911 call from Pelosi shortly before the attack Pelosi called 911 on his cellphone at 2:23 a.m.<ref name="SuspectChargedCNN" /><ref name="PleaStateCharges" /> PDT but when prompted by the San Francisco Police 911 dispatcher Pelosi indicated he did not need police, fire, or medical. Pelosi later inquired about the presence of Capitol Police and relayed that a "gentleman" (DePape) was waiting for his wife Nancy Pelosi to return. The dispatcher then advises Pelosi to "call us back if you change your mind". Pelosi continues the conversation by sharing more detail about DePape's actions and demands. The dispatcher then makes a series of inquiries to clarify the situation. At one point, DePape participates in this exchange sharing his full name with the dispatcher. The call ends after Pelosi indicates DePape wants him "to get the hell off the phone" and thanks the dispatcher.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wong |first=Greg |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Read what Paul Pelosi told SFPD during 911 call with David DePape in room |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/crime/paul-pelosi-911-call-transcript-read-what-he-told-sfpd/article_f4871a50-9e7c-11ed-8e36-abd9e15d159b.html |access-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127232437/https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/crime/paul-pelosi-911-call-transcript-read-what-he-told-sfpd/article_f4871a50-9e7c-11ed-8e36-abd9e15d159b.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The call prompted the 911 dispatcher to send police to Pelosi's aid for a wellness check,<ref name="AP">{{cite news |title=Intruder attacks Pelosi's husband, calling, 'Where is Nancy' |url=https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67 |access-date=October 29, 2022 |work=Associated Press |date=October 28, 2022 |first1=Colleen |last1=Long |first2=Olga R. |last2=Rodriguez |first3=Lisa |last3=Mascaro |first4=Michael |last4=Balsamo |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031124524/https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67 |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref><ref name="sfchronicle/17541007">{{cite news |last1=Cassidy |first1=Megan |last2=Stein |first2=Shira |last3=Echeverria |first3=Danielle |last4=Ravani |first4=Sarah |last5=Gardiner |first5=Dustin |title=Paul Pelosi attack: Police say suspect sought out Pelosi household |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/Paul-Pelosi-violently-assaulted-in-San-17541007.php |access-date=October 29, 2022 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030021008/https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/Paul-Pelosi-violently-assaulted-in-San-17541007.php |archive-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref> which was credited with saving his life.<ref name="USA Today Handling">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2022/10/29/san-francisco-dispatcher-pelosi-attack/10637297002/ |title=San Francisco DA: Dispatcher's handling of Paul Pelosi's 911 call 'may have saved his life' |work=USA Today |last1=Johnson |first1=Kevin |last2=Lee |first2=Ella |date=October 29, 2022 |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030045810/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2022/10/29/san-francisco-dispatcher-pelosi-attack/10637297002/ |archive-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Bekiempis">{{cite news |first=Victoria |last=Bekiempis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/30/paul-pelosi-attack-called-911-from-bathroom |title=A secret bathroom 911 call: how Paul Pelosi saved his own life |work=The Guardian |date=October 30, 2022 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031181810/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/30/paul-pelosi-attack-called-911-from-bathroom |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> thumb|Police body camera footage of the attack San Francisco police officers quickly arrived at the Pelosi residence<ref name="Oct28CNN">{{cite news |first1=Jamie |last1=Gangel |first2=Clare |last2=Foran |first3=Whitney |last3=Wild |first4=John |last4=Miller |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/28/politics/paul-pelosi-attack |title=Assailant tried to tie up Paul Pelosi in home attack and shouted, 'Where is Nancy?' sources say |work=CNN|date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031115347/https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/28/politics/paul-pelosi-attack |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> and knocked on the door at 2:31 a.m.<ref name="ArrestFBIAffidavit" /><ref name="LATimesNewDetails" /> Pelosi opened the door.<ref name="ArrestFBIAffidavit" /> From outside the house,<ref name="CBS 2022-10-28">{{cite AV media | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/video/sfpd-chief-scott-expresses-disgust-over-hammer-attack-that-hospitalized-paul-pelosi | title=SFPD chief Scott expresses disgust over hammer attack that hospitalized Paul Pelosi | date=October 29, 2022 | publisher=CBS News | access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030041256/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/video/sfpd-chief-scott-expresses-disgust-over-hammer-attack-that-hospitalized-paul-pelosi/ |archive-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref> police observed DePape and Pelosi struggling for a hammer at the entryway.<ref name="Politico 2022-10-28">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/28/police-pelosi-attack-intentional-00064098 |first1=Jeremy B. |last1=White |first2=Nicholas |last2=Wu |title=Police offer new details in Paul Pelosi assault |work=Politico |date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031125655/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/28/police-pelosi-attack-intentional-00064098 |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/paul-pelosi-secretly-called-911-spoke-in-code-to-dispatcher-2022-10 |title=Paul Pelosi secretly called 911 while in front of the intruder and spoke in 'code' to dispatcher to convey what was happening: 'Why are you here? What are you going to do to me?' |work=Business Insider |last1=Vlamis |first1=Kelsey |last2=Mitchell |first2=Taylor Simone |date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031124502/https://www.businessinsider.com/paul-pelosi-secretly-called-911-spoke-in-code-to-dispatcher-2022-10 |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> In front of police, DePape took the hammer and attacked Pelosi with a single blow.<ref name="Politico 2022-10-28" /><ref name="WaPoInfo">{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Eugene |last2=Caldwell |first2=Leigh Ann |last3=Stein |first3=Perry |last4=Kane |first4=Paul |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Assailant shouted 'Where is Nancy?' in break-in at speaker's home, attack on Paul Pelosi |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/28/paul-pelosi-attack-san-francisco/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221028221616/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/28/paul-pelosi-attack-san-francisco/ |archive-date=October 28, 2022}}</ref><ref name="NYT1031" /> Released body camera footage of San Francisco police officers showed the door opening as DePape struggled with Pelosi. DePape grasped a hammer in one hand and Pelosi's arm in another; after an officer commanded him to drop the hammer, DePape responded "uh, nope" and lunged at Pelosi, swinging the hammer into his head.<ref name="Forrest" /><ref>{{cite news | last = Baron | first = Ethan | date = January 27, 2023 | title = New video shows hammer attack on Paul Pelosi and suspect breaking into San Francisco home | url = https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/01/27/new-video-shows-hammer-attack-on-paul-pelosi-and-suspect-breaking-into-san-francisco-home/ | work = East Bay Times | access-date = January 28, 2023 | archive-date = January 28, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230128104530/https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/01/27/new-video-shows-hammer-attack-on-paul-pelosi-and-suspect-breaking-into-san-francisco-home/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Brooks | first = Emily | date = January 27, 2023 | title = Court releases body camera footage and 911 call from Paul Pelosi attack | url = https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3833361-court-releases-body-camera-footage-and-911-call-from-paul-pelosi-attack/ | work = The Hill | access-date = January 28, 2023 | archive-date = January 28, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230128234331/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3833361-court-releases-body-camera-footage-and-911-call-from-paul-pelosi-attack/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
Police then tackled and arrested DePape.<ref name="Politico 2022-10-28" /> After arresting the intruder, police discovered multiple zip ties, duct tape,<ref name="ZIPtie">{{cite news |last1=Gangel |first1=Jamie |last2=Wild |first2=Whitney |title=CNN Exclusive: Suspect in Paul Pelosi attack had bag with zip ties, source says |publisher=CNN |date=October 30, 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/30/politics/pelosi-attack-suspect-david-depape-bag-zip-ties/index.html |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031145654/https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/30/politics/pelosi-attack-suspect-david-depape-bag-zip-ties/index.html |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref><ref name="CBS.List">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paul-pelosi-attack-suspect-target-list-sources-say-nancy-pelosi-husband/ |title=Suspect in Paul Pelosi attack had list of targets, law enforcement sources say |work=CBS News |last1=Pegues |first1=Jeff |last2=Martinez |first2=Gina |date=October 30, 2022 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031203555/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paul-pelosi-attack-suspect-target-list-sources-say-nancy-pelosi-husband/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> white rope, a second hammer, and rubber and cloth gloves in his backpack.<ref name="NYT1031" /><ref name=USDOJCharged>{{cite press release|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-charged-assault-and-attempted-kidnapping-following-breaking-and-entering-pelosi-residence|title=Man Charged with Assault and Attempted Kidnapping Following Breaking and Entering of Pelosi Residence|publisher=United States Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs|date=October 31, 2022|access-date=October 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031190446/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-charged-assault-and-attempted-kidnapping-following-breaking-and-entering-pelosi-residence|archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> According to investigators, DePape had a list of additional potential targets.<ref name="CBS.List" />
Following the attack, Pelosi underwent surgery to treat a skull fracture at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Laurie |last1=McGinley |first2=Kim |last2=Bellware |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/29/paul-pelosi-david-depape-attack/ |title=Paul Pelosi recovering as attack renews focus on toxic politics |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 29, 2022 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221029182924/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/29/paul-pelosi-david-depape-attack/ |archive-date=October 29, 2022}}</ref> He also received treatment for serious injuries to his hands and right arm.<ref name="ZIPtie" /> Pelosi was released from the hospital on November 3.<ref>{{cite news | last1 =Gangel | first1 =Jamie | last2 =Martin | first2 =Augie | title =Paul Pelosi released from hospital, source tells CNN | newspaper =CNN | location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =November 3, 2022 | url =https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/03/politics/paul-pelosi-out-of-hospital/index.html | accessdate =November 3, 2022 | archive-date =November 3, 2022 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20221103213126/https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/03/politics/paul-pelosi-out-of-hospital/index.html | url-status =live }}</ref> DePape was treated at the same hospital for minor injuries<ref name="Oct28CNN" /><ref>{{cite news |date=October 29, 2022 |title=David Depape, suspect in hammer attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband, facing attempted murder charge |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-30/david-depape-arrested-hammer-attack-on-nancy-pelosi-husband/101594940 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031031938/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-30/david-depape-arrested-hammer-attack-on-nancy-pelosi-husband/101594940 |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=October 29, 2022 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref><ref name="arraignmentindex">{{cite news |first1=Veronica|last1=Miracle| first2=Julia|last2=Jones|first3=Zachary |last3=Cohen |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/01/politics/david-depape-arraignment/index.html |title=Suspected Pelosi attacker pleads not guilty to all state charges at San Francisco arraignment |work=CNN |date=November 1, 2022 |access-date=October 13, 2025 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102180148/https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/01/politics/david-depape-arraignment/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> (specifically a dislocated shoulder);<ref name=ShabadRichards>{{cite news |first1=Rebecca |last1=Shabad |first2=Zoë |last2=Richards |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/paul-pelosi-attacker-david-depape-charged-rcna55030 |title=Suspect in Paul Pelosi attack allegedly told police he was on 'suicide mission' with more targets |work=NBC News |date=November 1, 2022 |access-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108192233/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/paul-pelosi-attacker-david-depape-charged-rcna55030 |url-status=live }}</ref> upon being discharged from the hospital, he was taken to the San Francisco County Jail.<ref name="arraignmentindex"/>
Nancy Pelosi was in Washington, D.C., at the time of the attack.<ref name="Politico 2022-10-28" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dorn |first1=Sara |title=Paul Pelosi Underwent Surgery After Alleged Hammer Attack at Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Home |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2022/10/28/paul-pelosi-in-surgery-after-alleged-hammer-attack-at-speaker-nancy-pelosis-home-reports-say/?sh=59550db86b87 |website=Forbes |date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221101023503/https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2022/10/28/paul-pelosi-in-surgery-after-alleged-hammer-attack-at-speaker-nancy-pelosis-home-reports-say/?sh=2acb03036b87 |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> She rushed back to San Francisco on a government airplane, and a motorcade escorted her to the hospital where her husband was being treated.<ref name="KPIX 2022-10-28">{{cite news |last=Chitnis |first=Shawn |title=Nancy Pelosi hurriedly returns to S.F. as husband recovers from attack |publisher=KPIX-TV |location=San Francisco |date=October 28, 2022 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/nancy-pelosi-hurriedly-returns-sf-husband-recovers-attack/ |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031150228/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/nancy-pelosi-hurriedly-returns-sf-husband-recovers-attack/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> The following day, she wrote a "Dear Colleague" letter to members of the House of Representatives, saying that her extended family was "heartbroken and traumatized by the life-threatening attack" and thanking law enforcement, emergency services, and hospital staff for aiding her husband.<ref>{{cite news |last=Woodall |first=Candy |title='Heartbroken and traumatized': Nancy Pelosi shares first comments since attack on her husband Paul Pelosi |newspaper=USA Today |date=October 29, 2022 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/10/29/nancy-pelosi-paul-pelosi-attack/10643070002/ |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030212335/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/10/29/nancy-pelosi-paul-pelosi-attack/10643070002/ |archive-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |date=October 29, 2022 |title=Dear Colleague to All Members on Attack on Paul Pelosi |url=https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/102922 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |website=Speaker Nancy Pelosi |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031073303/https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/102922 |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref>
Paul Pelosi returned to public view over a month later, when he appeared with Nancy at the Kennedy Center Honors. He wore a hat and one glove to conceal his injuries.<ref>{{cite news| last1 = Cochrane| first1 = Emily| last2 = Edmonson| first2 = Catie| title = Paul Pelosi Is Cheered at Kennedy Honors in Public Return After Attack: The ceremony honored the rock band U2, the singer Gladys Knight, the actor George Clooney, the composer Tania León and the singer-songwriter Amy Grant.| newspaper = New York Times| location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date = December 5, 2022| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/05/arts/music/paul-pelosi-kennedy-center-honors.html| accessdate = December 5, 2022| archive-date = December 5, 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221205143027/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/05/arts/music/paul-pelosi-kennedy-center-honors.html| url-status = live}}</ref> When asked by Anderson Cooper about her husband's condition in June 2024, over a year and a half after the attack, Nancy Pelosi replied, "He's making progress. He's about 80% there, physically. Traumatically, it's terrible."<ref>{{cite news | last =Harvey | first =Josephine| title =Nancy Pelosi Delivers Blistering 5-Word Trump Prediction | newspaper =Huffington Post | location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date = June 26, 2024| url =https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/nancy-pelosi-delivers-blistering-5-word-trump-prediction/ar-BB1oR2Fe | accessdate =July 2, 2024 }}</ref>
==Investigation== The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the San Francisco Police Department, the United States Capitol Police (USCP), the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the San Francisco District Attorney's Office investigated the attack.<ref name="CNNInfo">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/nancy-pelosi-husband-paul-attack#h_bee647a7528a143f43fec2fc44e193af |title=Police are providing another update on the attack of Paul Pelosi |date=October 28, 2022 |work=CNN |access-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028170912/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/nancy-pelosi-husband-paul-attack/#h_bee647a7528a143f43fec2fc44e193af |url-status=live }}</ref>
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said that the attack appeared to be politically motivated based on statements and comments made by DePape on the night of the attack.<ref name=SuspectChargedCNN/>
After being Mirandized, DePape gave an interview to San Francisco Police Department officers in which he said he planned to hold Nancy hostage and that he saw her as the "leader of the pack" of lies told by the Democratic Party. He said that he considered himself to be fighting "tyranny" and likened himself to the American founding fathers.<ref name=ArrestFBIAffidavit/> DePape told the police that he planned to kidnap and interrogate Nancy, and would break her kneecaps if she "lied" to him, believing that by doing so, "she would then have to be wheeled into Congress" as a "warning" to other members of Congress.<ref name = NYT1031/><ref>{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Winton|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-31/chilling-new-details-emerge-in-attack-on-paul-pelosi|title=Chilling new details emerge in attack on Paul Pelosi|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 31, 2022|access-date=October 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031163238/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-31/chilling-new-details-emerge-in-attack-on-paul-pelosi|archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> He also told police that he was on a "suicide mission" and had additional targets in mind,<ref name=ShabadRichards/> naming California governor Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks, and Hunter Biden—the son of then-president Joe Biden—as prospective targets.<ref name=PleaStateCharges>[https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/david-depape-paul-pelosi-not-guilty-plea-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi/ David DePape pleads not guilty to attempted murder, other charges in Pelosi assault], CBS News (December 28, 2022).</ref>
The day after the attack, pursuant to a federal search warrant, investigators searched a garage in Richmond, California, where DePape had lived for the previous two years. Investigators reported seizing "two hammers, a sword, and a pair of rubber and cloth gloves" from the property.<ref name=ArrestFBIAffidavit/>
Before the attack, DePape was not known to USCP and was not on any federal watchlist.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Whitney |last1=Wild |first2=Scott |last2=Glover |title=Suspected Pelosi assailant was not known to Capitol police or in threat databases |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/nancy-pelosi-husband-paul-attack#h_1ef14873bc7342030e81867b338853c2 |date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030005432/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/nancy-pelosi-husband-paul-attack#h_1ef14873bc7342030e81867b338853c2 |url-status=live }}</ref> USCP had access to security cameras outside the Pelosi home; the cameras—part of a network of approximately 1,800 cameras to which USCP has access—were installed eight years before the attack. The footage captured the assailant breaking the glass and entering the home. However, at the time of the attack, the USCP did not monitor the external video footage in real time when Pelosi was not home.<ref name=FootageUSCP>{{cite news|first1=Aaron|last1=Davis|first2=Carol D.|last2=Leonnig|first3=Marianna|last3=Sotomayor|first4=Paul|last4=Kane|date=1 November 2022|title=Capitol Police cameras caught break-in at Pelosi home, but no one was watching|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/01/capitol-police-cameras-caught-break-in-pelosi-home-no-one-was-watching/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=November 4, 2022|archive-date=November 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105001528/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/01/capitol-police-cameras-caught-break-in-pelosi-home-no-one-was-watching/|url-status=live}}</ref> She had received more violent threats than any other lawmaker and was accompanied by a security detail when traveling.<ref name=FootageUSCP/>
==Perpetrator== thumb|David DePape in a driver's license photograph|234x234px Canadian citizen '''David Wayne DePape''' (born 1980), age 42, was arrested at the scene of the attack.<ref name="WaPoInfo" /><ref name=USDOJCharged/><ref name="CNNInfo" />
===Life prior to the attack=== DePape grew up in Powell River, British Columbia.<ref name="NYT 2020-10-30">{{cite news |last1=Browning |first1=Kellen |last2=Feuer |first2=Alan |last3=Savage |first3=Charlie |last4=Fawcett |first4=Eliza |title=Who Is the Man Accused of Attacking Nancy Pelosi's Husband? |newspaper=The New York Times |date=October 30, 2022 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/30/us/suspect-attack-nancy-pelosi-husband.html |accessdate=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101085859/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/30/us/suspect-attack-nancy-pelosi-husband.html |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shabad |first1=Rebecca |last2=Ainsley |first2=Julia |date=November 3, 2022 |title=Suspect in Paul Pelosi attack was in U.S. illegally, immigration officials say |work=NBC |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/suspect-paul-pelosi-attack-was-us-illegally-immigration-officials-say-rcna55441 |accessdate=November 3, 2022 |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103143318/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/suspect-paul-pelosi-attack-was-us-illegally-immigration-officials-say-rcna55441 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time of the attack, he was present in the United States illegally, having overstayed his six-month temporary visitor B-2 visa issued in March 2008 when he entered at San Ysidro.<ref name="couldbedeported">{{cite news |last=Breuninger |first=Kevin |title=Accused Paul Pelosi attacker David DePape could be deported after release from custody, DHS says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/03/accused-paul-pelosi-attacker-david-depape-could-be-deported.html |work=CNBC |date=November 3, 2022 |access-date=November 3, 2022 |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201233753/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/03/accused-paul-pelosi-attacker-david-depape-could-be-deported.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
Shortly after finishing high school in Armstrong,<ref name="thestar/grew-up-in-bc">{{cite news |title=Paul Pelosi beating suspect grew up in B.C., sister says she's 'deeply saddened' by attack |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2022/10/28/paul-pelosi-beating-suspect-grew-up-in-bc-sister-says-shes-deeply-saddened-by-attack.html |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=thestar.com |date=28 October 2022 |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115171350/https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2022/10/28/paul-pelosi-beating-suspect-grew-up-in-bc-sister-says-shes-deeply-saddened-by-attack.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="GlobeMail">{{cite news |last1=Hager |first1=Mike |last2=Morrow |first2=Adrian |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Accused in assault on Nancy Pelosi's husband grew up in B.C. |language=en-CA |website=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-pelosi-husband-david-depape/ |access-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118142027/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-pelosi-husband-david-depape/ |archive-date=2022-11-18}}</ref> he had migrated to the U.S. in 2000.<ref name="APnov1">{{cite news |last1=Mascaro |first1=Lisa |last2=Dazio |first2=Stefanie |last3=Chea |first3=Terry |title=Police: Pelosi suspect wanted to break speaker's knees |url=https://apnews.com/article/twitter-inc-san-francisco-conspiracy-theories-nancy-pelosi-congress-e2d8fc90553c24b5e5162e02e6378321 |access-date=November 1, 2022 |publisher=Associated Press |date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101153959/https://apnews.com/article/twitter-inc-san-francisco-conspiracy-theories-nancy-pelosi-congress-e2d8fc90553c24b5e5162e02e6378321 |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> In Hawaii, DePape met Gypsy Taub and moved with her to California.<ref name="newspapers/clip/112168184">{{cite news |last1=Bender |first1=Kristin |title=Dozens of community meals held around East Bay |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112168184/depapenov08clipping/ |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Oakland Tribune |date=November 28, 2008 |location=Oakland, California |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115171350/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112168184/depapenov08clipping/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="GlobeMail" /> He became estranged from his family around that time.<ref name="SF Chronicle What we know">{{cite news |last1=Swan |first1=Rachel |last2=Gardiner |first2=Dustin |last3=Ravani |first3=Sarah |date=October 28, 2022 |title=What we know about David DePape, man accused of attacking Paul Pelosi with a hammer |website=San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/What-we-know-about-David-DePape-man-accused-of-17542056.php |url-status=live |access-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028224024/https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/What-we-know-about-David-DePape-man-accused-of-17542056.php |archive-date=October 28, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Casey |last1=Tolan |first2=Curt |last2=Devine |first3=Daniel |last3=Medina |first4=Majlie |last4=Kamp |first5=Paul |last5=Murphy |title=Suspect in Pelosi's attack posted multiple conspiracy theories |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/nancy-pelosi-husband-paul-attack#h_e00f25aa829a9c2c4d9fdead2cfd2eb8 |date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028170912/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/nancy-pelosi-husband-paul-attack/#h_e00f25aa829a9c2c4d9fdead2cfd2eb8 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=What we know about the Paul Pelosi attack and suspect David DePape |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/29/paul-pelosi-attack-david-depape/ |date=October 29, 2022 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |first=Adela |last=Suliman |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221029120648/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/29/paul-pelosi-attack-david-depape/ |archive-date=October 29, 2022}}</ref> As Taub went on to become one the most prominent faces of the 2013 San Francisco public nudity movement, DePape remained a significant associate.<ref name="SF Chronicle What we know" /> Scott Wiener – a city supervisor in 2013, and later a state senator – described Taub and DePape as being part of a subgroup of "aggressive" and "creepy" public nudists, though DePape never appeared nude in public on grounds of being uncomfortable.<ref name="SF Chronicle What we know" /><ref>{{cite news |date=October 29, 2022 |title=California state senator says he remembers Paul Pelosi's alleged attacker from 2013 nudist protests |url=https://wfin.com/fox-political-news/california-state-senator-says-he-remembers-paul-pelosis-alleged-attacker-from-2013-nudist-protests/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101041003/https://wfin.com/fox-political-news/california-state-senator-says-he-remembers-paul-pelosis-alleged-attacker-from-2013-nudist-protests/ |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |accessdate=November 1, 2022 |publisher=WFIN}}</ref><ref name="SFChronicleTaub">{{cite news | last = Mishanec | first = Nora | date = October 30, 2022 | title = Ex-girlfriend of suspect in Paul Pelosi attack says he struggled with mental illness, drugs, believed he was 'Jesus for a year'| url = https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Ex-girlfriend-of-suspect-in-Paul-Pelosi-attack-17545968.php | work = San Francisco Chronicle|archive-url=https://archive.today/20221031193417/https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Ex-girlfriend-of-suspect-in-Paul-Pelosi-attack-17545968.php|archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref>
Taub said that she broke up with DePape in 2009; since then, his mental health had allegedly deteriorated from drug abuse and other causes.<ref name="SFChronicleTaub" /><ref name="auto">{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Tara |date=October 30, 2022 |title=Exclusive: Former partner of accused Paul Pelosi attacker DePape reveals new details about suspect |publisher=KGO-TV |url=https://abc7news.com/gypsy-taub-david-depape-san-francisco-pelosi-assault-who-attacked-paul-conspiracy-theory/12396990/ |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101005437/https://abc7news.com/gypsy-taub-david-depape-san-francisco-pelosi-assault-who-attacked-paul-conspiracy-theory/12396990/ |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> Taub described an incident from 2010 when DePape returned home after about a year of being incognito, identifying with Jesus, and exhibiting extreme paranoia.<ref name="SFChronicleTaub" /><ref name="auto" /> One acquaintance claimed to have had to cut off contact with DePape in 2012 after he displayed megalomaniac behavior and sent her multiple emails likening himself to Jesus Christ.<ref name="NYT 2020-10-30" /> Nonetheless, he remained part of Taub's circle and would even be the groomsman during her wedding in 2013; he continued to live in the same house with Taub, her spouse, and her three children.<ref name="SF Chronicle What we know" /><ref name="SFGate What to know">{{cite news |last1=Bindman |first1=Ariana |last2=Bote |first2=Joshua |last3=Regimbal |first3=Alec |date=October 29, 2022 |title=What to know about alleged Pelosi attacker and his 'really creepy' group |website=San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/david-depape-alleged-pelosi-attacker-17542660.php |url-status=live |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031114604/https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/david-depape-alleged-pelosi-attacker-17542660.php |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref><ref name="East Bay Times Who is attacker">{{cite news |last1=Kamisher |first1=Eliyahu |last2=Nickerson |first2=Scooty |last3=Debolt |first3=David |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Who is Paul Pelosi attacker? Berkeley man tied to nude activism, far-right conspiracy theories suspected in assault |work=The East Bay Times |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/10/28/who-is-paul-pelosi-attacker-berkeley-man-tied-to-nude-activism-far-right-conspiracy-theories-suspected-in-assault/ |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030045853/https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/10/28/who-is-paul-pelosi-attacker-berkeley-man-tied-to-nude-activism-far-right-conspiracy-theories-suspected-in-assault/ |archive-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref> They rekindled their relationship at some point but broke up for good in 2015. DePape moved out and was homeless for a while; however, DePape and Taub remained intermittently in contact until Taub's incarceration.<ref name=SFChronicleTaub/>
At the time of the attack, he had been a resident of Richmond, California,<ref name="NYT 2020-10-30" /><ref name="CNN 2022-10-28">{{cite news |last1=Tolan |first1=Casey |last2=Devine |first2=Curt |last3=Medina |first3=Daniel A. |last4=de Puy Kamp |first4=Majilie |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Alleged Paul Pelosi attacker posted multiple conspiracy theories |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/28/politics/pelosi-attack-suspect-conspiracy-theories-invs/index.html |access-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101010842/https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/28/politics/pelosi-attack-suspect-conspiracy-theories-invs/index.html |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> for three years, living in a rented garage next to a home.<ref name="KNTV">{{cite AV media |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/a-closer-look-at-david-depapes-past/3064451/ |title=A Closer Look at David DePape's Past |date=October 31, 2022 |last=Van Derbeken |first=Jaxon |publisher=KNTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101171800/https://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/a-closer-look-at-david-depapes-past/3064451/ |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |accessdate=November 1, 2022}}</ref> In the six years prior to his arrest, he worked as a helper for a patio deck builder.<ref name="KNTV" />
David's stepfather Gene DePape, who lived in Powell River at the time of the attack, told Global News that he hasn't seen his stepson since 2003, but was quiet and never violent as a child.<ref>{{cite news|date=October 28, 2022 |title='Just your average student': Former school counsellor remembers Pelosi break-in suspect David DePape|work=Global News|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9239161/powell-river-school-counsellor-remembers-pelosi-attacker-david-depape/|access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101010453/https://globalnews.ca/news/9239161/powell-river-school-counsellor-remembers-pelosi-attacker-david-depape/|archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> He later disputed that David had gone to Pelosi's place with murderous intentions.<ref>{{cite news|date=November 16, 2023|title=Former Qathet region resident guilty of Pelosi attack|work=Powell River Peak|url=https://www.prpeak.com/local-news/former-qathet-region-resident-guilty-of-pelosi-attack-7842453|access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117025925/https://www.prpeak.com/local-news/former-qathet-region-resident-guilty-of-pelosi-attack-7842453|archive-date=November 17, 2023}}</ref>
=== Social media activity ===
In 2007, DePape started a personal blog, initially writing about topics such as spirituality and the natural psychedelic ibogaine. In the months before the attack, DePape resumed writing on his blog after a long hiatus, this time on conspiracy theories and alt-right politics.<ref name="GlobeMail" /> In posts on social media and at least two blogs, DePape espoused far-right views, promoting QAnon, Pizzagate, and other far-right conspiracy theories, as well as sharing far-right Internet memes.<ref name="depapetheories"/><ref name="102822Vice">{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Tess |last2=Lamoureux |first2=Mack |last3=Hamilton |first3=Keegan |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Man Accused of Attacking Nancy Pelosi's Husband Left Trail of Far-Right Hate |publisher=Vice News |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/david-depape-paul-pelosi-attack/ |access-date=October 30, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101082523/https://www.vice.com/en/article/m7gkey/david-depape-paul-pelosi-attack |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref><ref name="DelusionalThoughts">{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Aaron C. |last2=Bennett |first2=Dalton |date=October 29, 2022 |title=Alleged assailant filled blog with delusional thoughts in days before Pelosi attack |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2022/10/29/david-depape-blog-pelosi-fairies/ |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221030193057/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2022/10/29/david-depape-blog-pelosi-fairies/ |archive-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
In 2021, DePape had posted videos by My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell that falsely claimed the 2020 U.S. presidential election to have been stolen; throughout 2022, he linked to COVID-19 vaccine misinformation videos{{snds}}claiming that the vaccines were deadly and that data was covered up{{snds}}and alleged that George Floyd had died of a drug overdose rather than being murdered by former officer Derek Chauvin.<ref name="CNN 2022-10-28" /> He credited Gamergate for making him shift in 2014 to right-wing politics. He also expressed a fascination for conservative authors Jordan Peterson and James A. Lindsay.<ref name="Allam">{{Cite news |last1=Allam |first1=Hannah |last2=Mekhennet |first2=Souad |date=2022-10-31 |title=Accused Pelosi attacker's history shows blurry lines of radicalization |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/10/31/david-depape-pelosi-online-radicalization/ |url-status=live |accessdate=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221031231449/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/10/31/david-depape-pelosi-online-radicalization/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref><ref name="SFGate What to know" /> One month before the attack, a website written under DePape's name declared that any journalist who challenged Trump's election fraud claims "should be dragged straight out into the street and shot".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Biesecker |first1=Michael |last2=Condon |first2=Bernard |title=Suspect in assault at Pelosi home had posted about QAnon |work=Associated Press |date=October 29, 2022 |url=https://apnews.com/article/california-donald-trump-san-francisco-47c103cfe696df9faf0e57e1c7dd4f10 |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101212105/https://apnews.com/article/california-donald-trump-san-francisco-47c103cfe696df9faf0e57e1c7dd4f10 |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> DePape also attacked Jews, immigrants, people of color, women, LGBTQ people, social justice warriors, Catholics, and Muslims.<ref name="DelusionalThoughts" /><ref name="SF Chronicle What we know" /><ref name="CNN 2022-10-28" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bevan |first=Rhiannon |date=October 30, 2022 |title=Alleged Pelosi Attacker Cites Gamergate As Cause Of Radicalization |url=https://www.thegamer.com/david-depape-gamegate-paul-pelosi-attack-alt-right/ |access-date=October 30, 2022 |website=The Gamer |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031135308/https://www.thegamer.com/david-depape-gamegate-paul-pelosi-attack-alt-right/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> He promoted a range of antisemitic conspiracy theories, including proclaiming the innocence of Adolf Hitler, denying the Holocaust, and accusing Jews of orchestrating the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref name="East Bay Times Who is attacker" /><ref name="102822Vice" /><ref name="J Post Antisemitism">{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-720927 |title=Man who attacked Pelosi's husband spread conspiracy theories about Jews |website=The Jerusalem Post |date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |first=Ron |last=Kampeas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101110229/https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-720927 |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> His online posts were also often delusional, once attacking Jesus as "the antichrist" and included references to communication with invisible fairies and the occult.<ref name="DelusionalThoughts" /><ref name="NYT 2020-10-30" /> His last post, published a day before the attack, was titled "Why Colleges are becoming Cults".<ref name="SFGate What to know" />
Party affiliation records note DePape to be a Green Party member as of 2014; according to Taub, he was "more on the far left than the far right" during their relationship.<ref name="Allam" /><ref name="SFChronicleTaub" /> Experts on extremism and terrorism say that such shifts in views{{snds}}from left-wing fringe movements to the far-right{{snds}}can be held as "side switching", a fairly common phenomenon among persons who are radicalized online, who shift between "mutually exclusive or hostile ideologies" through "bridging areas" such as antisemitism, anti-government stance, and misogynist beliefs.<ref name="Allam" />
==State and federal prosecution== On October 31, 2022, federal prosecutors charged DePape with "attempted kidnapping of a federal official in the performance of official duties" and "assaulting an immediate member of a federal official's family and inflicting a serious injury with a dangerous weapon",<ref name=USDOJCharged/><ref name="NYT1031">{{cite news |last1=Thrush |first1=Glenn |last2=Browning |first2=Kellen |last3=Vander Ploeg |first3=Luke |title=Intruder Wanted to Break Speaker Pelosi's Kneecaps, Federal Complaint Says |work=The New York Times |date=October 31, 2022 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/31/us/pelosi-home-attack-suspect-charged.html |access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101000509/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/31/us/pelosi-home-attack-suspect-charged.html |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> On November 9, a federal grand jury indicted him on the same two charges.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-10 |title=Suspect In Paul Pelosi Hammer Attack Indicted On Federal Charge |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/suspect-paul-pelosi-attack-indicted_n_636cea19e4b01727bbd55dd7 |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=HuffPost |language=en |archive-date=November 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110152305/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/suspect-paul-pelosi-attack-indicted_n_636cea19e4b01727bbd55dd7 |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 3, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer on DePape, who is a Canadian national, intending on taking custody of DePape after he is released from custody and making it possible to deport him.<ref name="couldbedeported"/>
On October 31, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office filed state charges against DePape, including six felonies: attempted murder, residential burglary, elder abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment of an elder, and threatening the family member of a public official.<ref name="NYT1031" /> If convicted of all state charges, DePape faced a sentence of between 13 years and life imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web |title=David DePape planned attacks on other politicians besides Pelosi, prosecutors allege |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-11-01/david-depape-pleads-not-guilty-in-paul-pelosi-attack |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 2, 2022 |date=November 1, 2022 |first=Richard |last=Winton |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102123621/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-11-01/david-depape-pleads-not-guilty-in-paul-pelosi-attack |archive-date=November 2, 2022}}</ref> On November 4, he was denied bail.<ref name=KeepsJail>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/11/04/judge-depape-jail-attack-pelosi-san-francisco/8265268001/|title=Judge keeps David DePape in jail on charges he attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer|first=Bart|last=Jansen|publisher=USA Today|date=November 4, 2022|access-date=November 5, 2022|archive-date=November 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105025604/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/11/04/judge-depape-jail-attack-pelosi-san-francisco/8265268001/|url-status=live}}</ref> A preliminary hearing was heard December 14.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-15 |title=Paul Pelosi attack suspect David DePape is likely headed to trial as new gruesome details revealed |url=https://abc7news.com/paul-pelosi-attack-david-depape-trial-nancy-pelosis-husband-attacked-suspect-charges/12571505/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=ABC7 San Francisco |language=en |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215163910/https://abc7news.com/paul-pelosi-attack-david-depape-trial-nancy-pelosis-husband-attacked-suspect-charges/12571505/ |url-status=live }}</ref> DePape pleaded not guilty to both the federal and state charges.<ref name="arraignmentindex"/>
On January 27, 2023, video and audio recordings of the attack were publicly shown in a preliminary court hearing in San Francisco Superior Court.<ref name="Forrest">{{Cite news |last1=Herb |first1=Jeremy |last2=Hannah |first2=Jack |last3=Forrest |first3=Jack |date=2023-01-27 |title=Court releases video of attack on Paul Pelosi |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/27/politics/paul-pelosi-attack-video-release/index.html |access-date=2023-01-27 |work=CNN |language=en |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127182438/https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/27/politics/paul-pelosi-attack-video-release/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The court ordered the district attorney's office to release the materials, granting a motion filed by a coalition of news organizations seeking release.<ref name="Forrest"/>{{efn|The press organizations who successfully won the motion to release the videorecording included the Associated Press; several newspapers (''The New York Times'', ''Washington Post'', ''Los Angeles Times'', ''San Francisco Chronicle'', ''Press Democrat''); the major television networks (CNN, Fox News, CBS, ABC, and NBC); and KQED Inc., which operates San Francisco's NPR member station.<ref>{{cite news |last=Beam |first=Adam |url=https://apnews.com/article/assault-nancy-pelosi-paul-san-francisco-5a028836901e172998f67efa8c12b7eb |title=California judge orders release of footage of Pelosi attack |work=Associated Press |date=January 25, 2023 |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126013551/https://apnews.com/article/assault-nancy-pelosi-paul-san-francisco-5a028836901e172998f67efa8c12b7eb |url-status=live}}</ref> DePape's lawyers argued against the release of the materials, contending it would damage DePape's right to a fair trial.<ref name="Forrest"/>}} The released files included the audio of DePape's police interview, the recording of the 911 call made by Pelosi just prior to the attack, the responding police officer's body-cam footage (clearly showing the attack and ensuing struggle), and home surveillance video, in which DePape is seen breaking-into the back of the house with repeated hammer blows.<ref name="Forrest"/>
===Federal trial=== DePape's federal trial began on November 9, 2023. In their opening statement, DePape's defense lawyers admitted that he carried out the attack, but argued that he was motivated by his belief in "conspiracy theories" rather than Pelosi's position as speaker.<ref name=Wendling>Mike Wendling, [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67411189 Accused Pelosi hammer attacker David DePape tearfully testifies of bizarre plot], BBC News (November 15, 2023).</ref><ref name=CNNVerdict>Jeffrey Kopp, Veronica Miracle and Piper Hudspeth Blackburn, [https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/16/politics/depape-verdict-guilty/index.html David DePape found guilty in Paul Pelosi hammer attack], CNN (November 16, 2023).</ref> Witnesses who gave evidence at the trial included the San Francisco PD officers who responded to the scene, FBI agents, and Capitol Police officers;<ref name=CNNVerdict/> Paul Pelosi himself also testified about the attack, his recovery, and the lingering emotional, mental and physical effects from his injuries.<ref name=CNNVerdict/><ref>Jeffrey Kopp, Veronica Miracle and Jack Forrest, [https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/13/politics/paul-pelosi-david-depape-trial/index.html Paul Pelosi details attack and arduous recovery while on stand in DePape federal trial], CNN (November 13, 2023).</ref> Additional medical testimony was given by the neurosurgeon who operated on Pelosi following the attack.<ref name=CBSDePapeTestimony>[https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/david-depape-testifies-paul-pelosi-hammer-attack-trial/ Tearful David DePape testifies in the Paul Pelosi assault trial; "Thought he was dead"], CBS Bay Area (November 14, 2023).</ref>
DePape himself also chose to testify. He admitted that he had attacked Pelosi, saying that Speaker Pelosi (and not her husband) was his actual target.<ref name=Finnegan>Michael Finnegan, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/11/14/paul-pelosi-nancy-david-depape-assault/ Assailant admits attacking Paul Pelosi after targeting Nancy Pelosi], ''Washington Post'' (November 14, 2023).</ref> He admitted to hitting Pelosi "with full force" using the hammer.<ref name=Finnegan/> DePape testified that he had been radicalized beginning in 2014, when he became interested in Gamergate and started listening to right-wing podcasters,<ref name=Wendling/> and "culture war stuff" on YouTube in his spare time.<ref name=Finnegan/> He testified that he frequently listened to James A. Lindsay, Glenn Beck, Tim Pool, and Jimmy Dore.<ref name=RodriguezNov14>Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, [https://www.kqed.org/news/11967247/david-depape-on-witness-stand-details-grand-plan-to-violently-interrogate-nancy-pelosi David DePape, on Witness Stand, Details 'Grand Plan' to Violently Interrogate Nancy Pelosi], KQED (November 14, 2023).</ref><ref name=CBSDePapeTestimony/><ref>Annie Vainshtein, [https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/pelosi-hammer-attack-trial-depape-testimony-18490401.php David DePape testifies in Paul Pelosi hammer attack trial], ''Sam Francisco Chronicle'' (November 16, 2023).</ref> He recalled listening to podcasts and YouTube videos for at least six hours a day, on weekdays, and for the duration of entire weekends.<ref name=RodriguezNov14/> Influenced by QAnon-like conspiracy theories,<ref name=Finnegan/><ref name=CBSDePapeTestimony/> DePape ultimately plotted a "grand plan" to lure "targets"—including political figures as varied as Gavin Newsom, Adam Schiff, Mike Pence, Bill Barr, Bernie Sanders, and George Soros, actor Tom Hanks, and university professor Gayle Rubin, in addition to Nancy Pelosi.<ref name=Wendling/> He testified that he believed the mainstream media "were all lying about Trump",<ref name=Finnegan/> that he planned to wear a unicorn costume while "interrogating" Speaker Pelosi (and then uploading the video publicly), and that he planned to ultimately target Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son.<ref name=Wendling/> DePape testified that he was "surprised and confused" to find that Speaker Pelosi was not at home, and considered his plans to be "basically ruined" at that point.<ref name=CNNVerdict/>
On November 16, the jury found DePape guilty of both federal counts.<ref name="depapefoundguilty"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Green |first=Matthew |title=David DePape Found Guilty in Paul Pelosi Hammer Attack |website=KQED |date=November 16, 2023 |url=https://www.kqed.org/news/11967595/david-depape-found-guilty-in-paul-pelosi-hammer-attack |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116201921/https://www.kqed.org/news/11967595/david-depape-found-guilty-in-paul-pelosi-hammer-attack |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Justice Department was seeking 40 years imprisonment followed by eight years of supervised release, after his incarceration is completed.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Alex|last1=Stone|first2=Ivan|last2=Pereira|title=Justice Department seeks 40-year sentence for Paul Pelosi attacker |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/justice-department-seeks-40-year-sentence-paul-pelosi/story?id=110133932 |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> On May 17, 2024, DePape was ultimately sentenced to 30 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dworetzky |first1=Joe |title=Depape Sentenced To 30 Years For Attempted Kidnapping Of Nancy Pelosi, Assault Of Her Husband |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/depape-sentenced-to-30-years-for-attempted-19464516.php |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=SFGATE |date=17 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
During sentencing, the judge erred in not providing the defendant an opportunity to make a statement. Another sentencing hearing was held on May 28, 2024, during which, DePape apologized for his actions. Again, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fang |first=Tim |date=2024-05-28 |title=David DePape apologizes for Paul Pelosi attack, resentenced to 30 years - CBS San Francisco |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/david-depape-man-convicted-paul-pelosi-attack-sentencing-hearing-reopened-court-error/ |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
===State trial=== After several delays, DePape's state trial began on May 29, 2024.<ref name="ABCOpening">{{cite news |last1=Deliso |first1=Meredith |title=Opening statements set to begin in state trial against Paul Pelosi attacker David DePape |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/david-depape-state-trial-paul-pelosi-attack/story?id=110471086 |access-date=16 June 2024 |work=ABC News |date=29 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Evidence admissible in the state case includes the police body camera footage of the attack, DePape's confession to police, and his "rambling and conspiracy-filled testimony" from his federal trial.<ref>Dustin Gardiner, [https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/17/failed-legal-gambit-in-pelosi-trial-weakens-attackers-in-parallel-state-trial-00127852 Failed legal gambit in Pelosi trial weakens attacker's case in parallel state trial], ''Politico'' (November 17, 2023).</ref>
On June 6, 2024, the judge dismissed charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse, finding that trying DePape on these charges following the federal trial would constitute double jeopardy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Judge dismisses attempted murder and other charges in state case against Paul Pelosi's attacker |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/judge-dismisses-attempted-murder-charges-state-case-paul-pelosis-attac-rcna155971 |access-date=16 June 2024 |work=NBC News |date=7 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref> On June 21, DePape was found guilty of five state charges: burglary, false imprisonment, threatening a family member of a public official, kidnapping, and threatening a witness.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kopp |first1=Jeffrey |last2=Miracle |first2=Veronica |date=2024-06-21 |title=David DePape found guilty of five state charges in Paul Pelosi attack |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/21/politics/depape-verdict-guilty-state-charges/index.html |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> He was sentenced on October 29 to life in prison without parole.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Har |first=Janie |date=October 29, 2024 |title=Man serving 30 years for attacking Nancy Pelosi's husband gets a life term on state charges |url=https://apnews.com/article/david-depape-nancy-pelosi-husband-paul-attacked-454cbde088fcae22a356f1f8dd0e9eba |website=AP News}}</ref>
===Post-sentencing and incarceration=== After his sentencing, DePape's father Gene issued an apology statement to both Paul and Nancy on an article from the ''Los Angeles Times''.<ref>{{cite news|date=November 16, 2023|title=Former Qathet region resident guilty of Pelosi attack|work=Powell River Peak|url=https://www.prpeak.com/local-news/former-qathet-region-resident-sentenced-for-paul-pelosi-attack-8764433|access-date=October 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517205226/https://www.prpeak.com/local-news/former-qathet-region-resident-sentenced-for-paul-pelosi-attack-8764433|archive-date=May 17, 2024}}</ref> David DePape began serving his sentence at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, California on November 21, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 21, 2024 |title=David DePape inmate information |url=https://ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov/details?cdcrNumber=BZ0558 |website=California Incarcerated Records and Information Search}}</ref>
==Reactions== President Joe Biden expressed support for the Pelosi family<ref name="WaPoInfo" /> and said there was too much political violence, hatred, and vitriol.<ref name="Garrity">{{cite news |last1=Garrity |first1=Kelly |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Biden cites Jan. 6 riot chant as he condemns 'despicable' attack on Paul Pelosi |publisher=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/28/biden-attack-pelosis-husband-jan-6-riot-00064097 |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031110759/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/28/biden-attack-pelosis-husband-jan-6-riot-00064097 |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> Biden compared the attack on Paul Pelosi with the January 6 Capitol attack and said Republicans talking about "stolen elections" and "COVID being a hoax" may "affect people who may not be so well balanced". Vice President Kamala Harris blamed the current political climate for inspiring the attack.<ref name="Garrity" /> California Governor Gavin Newsom said the "heinous attack" on Pelosi was "yet another example of the dangerous consequences of the divisive and hateful rhetoric that is putting lives at risk and undermining our very democracy."<ref name="CNNInfo" /><ref>{{cite press release |title=Governor Newsom Statement on Violent Assault on Paul Pelosi |url=https://www.gov.ca.gov/2022/10/28/governor-newsom-statement-on-violent-assault-on-paul-pelosi/ |url-status=live |work=Office of Governor Gavin Newsom |date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031200722/https://www.gov.ca.gov/2022/10/28/governor-newsom-statement-on-violent-assault-on-paul-pelosi/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> San Francisco Mayor London Breed called the attack a "horrific and scary incident", offering her support to Pelosi's family and thanking the first responders.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 October 2022 |work=CBS News |title=Pelosi home attack sends cold shiver across political landscape; politicians 'horrified and disgusted' |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/pelosi-home-attack-sends-cold-shiver-through-political-landscape-politicians-horrified-and-disgusted/ |access-date=December 24, 2022 |archive-date=December 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224041042/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/pelosi-home-attack-sends-cold-shiver-through-political-landscape-politicians-horrified-and-disgusted/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The attack and broader concerns of violence and threats prompted calls from members of Congress to increase security.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/10/29/pelosi-attack-congress-politicians-security |title=Pelosi attack stokes Congress' fears: 'Somebody is going to die' |work=Axios |last1=Solender |first1=Andrew |last2=Treene |first2=Alayna |date=October 29, 2022 |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030172408/https://www.axios.com/2022/10/29/pelosi-attack-congress-politicians-security |url-status=live |archive-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref> Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter that "the attack on Paul Pelosi is appalling and completely unacceptable, and I condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms."<ref>{{cite tweet |user=JustinTrudeau |number=1586053412184944640 |title=The attack on Paul Pelosi is appalling and completely unacceptable, and I condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms. I join the American people in wishing him a full recovery – I'm keeping him, @SpeakerPelosi, and their entire family in my thoughts. |author- Justin Trudeau link=}}</ref>
The attack on Pelosi was condemned by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (who called it "a dastardly act"); Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (who said that the assault "horrified and disgusted" him); by Republican House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (who was seriously wounded in the 2017 congressional baseball shooting, and who called the attack on Pelosi "horrific"); Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-31 |title=Kevin McCarthy speaks out on Pelosi home invasion and attack |url=https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/kevin-mccarthy-speaks-out-on-pelosi-home-invasion-and-attack |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=KERO 23 ABC News Bakersfield |language=en |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114191327/https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/kevin-mccarthy-speaks-out-on-pelosi-home-invasion-and-attack |url-status=live }}</ref> and Republican Senate Minority Whip John Thune.<ref name="CBS">{{cite news |last=Cannella |first=Greg |title=Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz, Bernie Sanders and other U.S. politicians condemn attack on Paul Pelosi |work=CBS News |date=October 28, 2022 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nancy-pelosi-husband-paul-attacked-mitch-mcconnell-ted-cruz-bernie-sanders-politicians-respond/ |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102015507/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nancy-pelosi-husband-paul-attacked-mitch-mcconnell-ted-cruz-bernie-sanders-politicians-respond/ |archive-date=November 2, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Gore2022">{{cite news|author=D'Angelo Gore|title=What Republican Officials Have Said About the Violent Attack on Paul Pelosi|date=November 3, 2022|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2022/11/what-republican-officials-have-said-about-the-violent-attack-on-paul-pelosi/|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108191400/https://www.factcheck.org/2022/11/what-republican-officials-have-said-about-the-violent-attack-on-paul-pelosi/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Efn|Outgoing Representative Liz Cheney wrote, "Reports about the brutal attack on Paul Pelosi are horrific and deeply troubling." The attack was condemned by, among others, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Ted Cruz (R-TX).<ref name="CBS"/> Cruz, however, later retweeted conspiracy theories about the attack (asserting that "none of us will ever know for sure" what happened at the Pelosi residence), and complained that the attack was being used to criticize Republicans.<ref name=Ridicule/><ref>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Karlis |url=https://www.sacurrent.com/news/ted-cruz-blasted-on-social-media-for-spreading-conspiracy-about-attack-on-nancy-pelosis-husband-30221956 |title=Ted Cruz blasted on social media for spreading conspiracy about attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband |work=Sacramento Current |date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108195150/https://www.sacurrent.com/news/ted-cruz-blasted-on-social-media-for-spreading-conspiracy-about-attack-on-nancy-pelosis-husband-30221956 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
Republican officials sent mixed messages on the attack, prompting criticism from Democrats.<ref name="The Hill mixed">{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3710857-gop-gives-mixed-messages-on-paul-pelosi-attack/ |title=GOP gives mixed messages on Paul Pelosi attack |work=The Hill |last=Shapero |first=Julia |date=October 29, 2022 |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031195253/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3710857-gop-gives-mixed-messages-on-paul-pelosi-attack/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref> Many Republicans denounced the attack,<ref name="WangHennessy">{{cite news |first1=Amy B. |last1=Wang |first2=Molly |last2=Hennessy-Fiske |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/30/paul-nancy-pelosi-attack/ |title=Republicans blame 'both sides' for political violence after Paul Pelosi attack |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 30, 2022 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221030220156/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/30/paul-nancy-pelosi-attack/ |archive-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref><ref name=ContinuetoSpread>{{cite news|first1=Steven Lee|last1=Myers|first2=Stuart A.|last2=Thompson|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/31/technology/pelosi-attack-misinformation-conspiracy-republicans.html|title=Republicans Continue to Spread Baseless Claims About Pelosi Attack|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 31, 2022|accessdate=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101160906/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/31/technology/pelosi-attack-misinformation-conspiracy-republicans.html|archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> though others spread conspiracy theories about it.<ref name=ContinuetoSpread/> Some Republicans who condemned the attack issued statements criticizing "both sides" for violent rhetoric and political violence.<ref name="WangHennessy" /> Few Republicans spoke out against colleagues who spread conspiracy theories before the attack on Pelosi, or who promoted conspiracy theories about the attack itself.<ref name="Gore2022"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Ballard |title=Only one in Louisiana congressional delegation asks Rep Clay Higgins to apologize for his tweet |date=October 31, 2022 |url=https://www.nola.com/news/politics/article_7d76121c-5959-11ed-bbd9-5b99e2fa3f66.html |work=NOLA.com |quote=Only one in Louisiana congressional delegation asks Rep Clay Higgins to apologize for his tweet...Louisiana's GOP congressional delegation condemned political violence in general but refused to comment directly about Higgins tweet. |access-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108191358/https://www.nola.com/news/politics/article_7d76121c-5959-11ed-bbd9-5b99e2fa3f66.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Top Republican officials, such as Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel and National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Tom Emmer, rejected assertions that inflammatory Republican rhetoric, including vilification of Nancy Pelosi, contributed to an atmosphere that risked violence. A week before the attack, Emmer posted a video of himself firing a gun with the hashtag #FirePelosi; after the attack, he deflected a question asking if he should have used a gun in the ad.<ref name="Olander">{{cite news |first=Olivia |last=Olander |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/30/rnc-chair-gop-rhetoric-pelosi-assault-00064129 |title=Top Republicans reject any link between GOP rhetoric and Paul Pelosi assault |work=Politico |date=October 30, 2022 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101073729/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/30/rnc-chair-gop-rhetoric-pelosi-assault-00064129 |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> Some Republicans made jokes about the attack.<ref name=Ridicule>{{cite news |first=Annie |last=Karni |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/01/us/politics/pelosi-attack-republicans-trump.html |title=With Falsehoods and Ridicule About Pelosi Attack, Republicans Mimic Trump |newspaper=New York Times |date=November 1, 2022 |quote=The reaction to the assault on Mr. Pelosi among Republicans{{snd}}who have circulated conspiracy theories about it, dismissed it as an act of random violence and made the Pelosis the punchline of a dark joke{{snd}}underscores how thoroughly the G.O.P. has internalized his example. |access-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108193653/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/01/us/politics/pelosi-attack-republicans-trump.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Amy B. |last=Wang |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/01/paul-pelosi-attack-youngkin-lake/ |title=Attack on Paul Pelosi becomes punchline for some Republicans |newspaper=Washington Post |date=November 1, 2022 |access-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109233425/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/01/paul-pelosi-attack-youngkin-lake/ |url-status=live }} </ref> When taunting Nancy Pelosi, Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th president of the United States, sarcastically asked, “How's her husband doing?” He then remarked, “She's against building a wall in our border, even though she has a wall around her house—which obviously didn't do a very good job.”<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR7LHOfSA_k |title=Trump imitates Biden and mocks hammer attack on Pelosi's husband in bizarre speech |work=The Daily Telegraph|date=September 30, 2023}}</ref> Glenn Youngkin, the Republican governor of Virginia, said, "There's no room for violence anywhere, but we're gonna send Nancy Pelosi back to be with him in California", a remark that attracted controversy. Afterwards, Youngkin sent a handwritten apology to Speaker Pelosi's office, which she accepted.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3727379-youngkin-sends-pelosi-handwritten-apology-after-remarks-about-husband/ |title=Youngkin sends Pelosi handwritten apology after remarks about husband |work=The Hill|date=November 9, 2022}}</ref>
Former Republican National Committee communications strategist Doug Heye expressed concern that intense rhetoric against Nancy Pelosi and other politicians had reached the point of inspiring violence. Heye noted his own past involvement in rhetoric against Nancy Pelosi, having been heavily involved in the Republican National Committee's "Fire Pelosi" campaign ahead of the 2010 House elections.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goodyear |first1=Sheena |title=Republican who led 'Fire Pelosi' campaign calls on politicians to tone down the rhetoric |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/pelosi-attack-rhetoric-1.6636965 |website=CBC |access-date=28 October 2023 |date=November 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Heye |first1=Doug |title=Opinion {{!}} I helped run the 'Fire Pelosi' effort. Our toxic politics goes too far. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/10/31/pelosi-attack-gop-strategist-condemn/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=28 October 2023 |date=1 November 2022}}</ref>
Newsom, during an interview with CBS News' Major Garrett, accused Fox News for "creating a culture" that led to the attack, due to comments made by Jesse Watters during his show Jesse Watters Primetime.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yilek |first=Caitlin |date=2022-10-31 |title=California Gov. Gavin Newsom accuses Fox News of "creating a culture" that led to attack on Paul Pelosi|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gavin-newsom-paul-pelosi-nancy-pelosi-fox-news-attack/|access-date=2022-10-31|publisher=CBS News|language=en |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031213112/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gavin-newsom-paul-pelosi-nancy-pelosi-fox-news-attack/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Speaker Pelosi, during an interview with CNN's Dana Bash, later commented that the Republican Party's performance in the 2022 midterms elections, widely described as a disappointment for the Republicans, was partly due to voters being turned off at what she described as their "horrible response" to the attack.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Devan |date=2022-11-13 |title=Pelosi says 'horrible' GOP reaction to husband's attack may have turned off some voters|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/13/politics/pelosi-attack-voters-republicans-midterms-cnntv/index.html|access-date=2022-11-14|publisher=CNN|language=en |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114202059/https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/13/politics/pelosi-attack-voters-republicans-midterms-cnntv/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Misinformation and disinformation === Prominent right-wing figures shared misinformation and disinformation<!--Misinformation and disinformation are different concepts, and sources use both terms, so please leave both in.--> about the attack.<ref name="MisInfoLoop">{{cite news |title=How Republicans Fed a Misinformation Loop About the Pelosi Attack |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/05/us/politics/pelosi-attack-misinfo-republican-politicians.html |work=The New York Times |date=November 5, 2022 |author1=Annie Karni |author2=Malika Khurana |author3=Stuart A. Thompson|access-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106013511/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/05/us/politics/pelosi-attack-misinfo-republican-politicians.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MisinfoPush2">{{cite news |last=Stanley-Becker |first=Isaac |date=October 30, 2022 |title=Elon Musk, right-wing figures push misinformation about Pelosi attack |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/30/paul-pelosi-attack-misinformation-elon-musk/ |access-date=October 30, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20221101005218/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/30/paul-pelosi-attack-misinformation-elon-musk/ |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Disinfo">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/31/conservatives-disinformation-paul-pelosi-assault-00064208 |title=Prominent conservatives share online disinformation about Paul Pelosi assault |work=Politico |date=October 31, 2022 |first=Adam |last=Wren |accessdate=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101153726/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/31/conservatives-disinformation-paul-pelosi-assault-00064208 |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> Within days of the attack, such claims had spread among the Republican mainstream.<ref name="MisInfoLoop"/><ref name="Baselesspread">{{cite news |first1=Steven Lee |last1=Myers |first2=Stuart A. |last2=Thompson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/31/technology/pelosi-attack-misinformation-conspiracy-republicans.html |title=Republicans Continue to Spread Baseless Claims About Pelosi Attack |newspaper=The New York Times |date=October 31, 2022 |accessdate=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102002142/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/31/technology/pelosi-attack-misinformation-conspiracy-republicans.html |archive-date=November 2, 2022}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' noted that the claims "appeared intended to deflect attention from Mr. DePape's views".<ref name="Baselesspread"/> Right-wing figures who spread misinformation about the attack included Roger Stone, Dinesh D'Souza, and Steve Bannon, all of whom implied that the attack could be a "false flag".<ref name="MisinfoPush2"/>
Some of the misinformation that circulated was based on homophobia, by implying that DePape and Pelosi were somehow sexually involved.<ref name="MisInfoLoop"/><ref>{{cite news |author1=Angelo Fichera |author2=Ali Swenson |date=November 2, 2022 |work=Associated Press News |title=False, unfounded claims distort attack on Paul Pelosi |url=https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-pelosi-attack-conspiracy-theories-misinformation-028336957768 |quote=Baseless and homophobic claims ... have been shared by prominent figures including elected officials, conservative pundits and Twitter's new owner, Elon Musk, who later deleted his post.|access-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108185854/https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-pelosi-attack-conspiracy-theories-misinformation-028336957768 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.al.com/news/2022/11/david-depape-was-not-in-his-underwear-homophobic-lies-surround-paul-pelosi-attack.html |via=AL.com |date=November 5, 2022 |title=David DePape was not in his underwear: Homophobic lies surround Paul Pelosi attack |agency=Associated Press |access-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108185849/https://www.al.com/news/2022/11/david-depape-was-not-in-his-underwear-homophobic-lies-surround-paul-pelosi-attack.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Elon Musk, following his acquisition of Twitter, shared a tweet with an article from a right-wing fake news website, falsely suggesting that the attack resulted from a drunken Paul Pelosi having a fight with a male prostitute.<ref name="MisInfoLoop"/><ref name="MisinfoPush2"/><ref name="Musk2">{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Kurtis |date=October 30, 2022 |title=Elon Musk, in a Tweet, Shares Link From Site Known to Publish False News |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/30/business/musk-tweets-hillary-clinton-pelosi-husband.html |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101115421/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/30/business/musk-tweets-hillary-clinton-pelosi-husband.html |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref><ref name="McShane2">{{cite news |last=McShane |first=Julianne |date=October 30, 2022 |title=Elon Musk, new owner of Twitter, tweets unfounded, anti-LGBTQ conspiracy theory about Paul Pelosi attack |publisher=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/elon-musk-new-owner-twitter-tweets-unfounded-conspiracy-theory-paul-pe-rcna54717 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101151349/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/elon-musk-new-owner-twitter-tweets-unfounded-conspiracy-theory-paul-pe-rcna54717 |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> Musk deleted his tweet hours later, after it had amassed 24,000 retweets and 86,000 likes.<ref name="MisinfoPush2"/>
Republican congressman Clay Higgins (of Louisiana), Republican congresswomen Marjorie Taylor Greene (of Georgia), and Claudia Tenney (of New York), as well as Donald Trump Jr. and David Clarke Jr., all disseminated false claims about the attack, including those that Pelosi knew the attacker or was involved in male prostitution.<ref name="Disinfo" /><ref name="Baselesspread" /><ref name="BBC-disinfo">{{cite news |last1=Sardarizadeh |first1=Shayan |title=Paul Pelosi: Examining the false claims about the attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/63477452 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |work=BBC News |date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102184554/https://www.bbc.com/news/63477452 |archive-date=November 2, 2022}}</ref> Referring to various conspiracies, conservative talk radio host Charlie Kirk called for an "amazing patriot" from among his audience to "be a midterm hero" by deciding to "bail out" DePape "and then go ask him some questions".<ref>{{cite news |first=Justin |last=Baragona |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/charlie-kirk-wants-an-amazing-patriot-to-bail-out-paul-pelosis-alleged-assailant |title=Charlie Kirk Calls for an 'Amazing Patriot' to Bail Out Alleged Pelosi Attacker |work=The Daily Beast |date=October 31, 2022|accessdate=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101012358/https://www.thedailybeast.com/charlie-kirk-wants-an-amazing-patriot-to-bail-out-paul-pelosis-alleged-assailant |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Bevan |last=Hurley |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/paul-pelosi-charlie-kirk-bail-conspiracies-b2214680.html |title=Charlie Kirk tells audience to post bail for Paul Pelosi attacker as GOP conspiracies swirl |work=The Independent |date=October 31, 2022 |accessdate=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101070711/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/paul-pelosi-charlie-kirk-bail-conspiracies-b2214680.html |archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref> Days after the attack, former president Donald Trump also spread false conspiracy theories about the attack, suggesting it could have been staged.<ref name="MisInfoLoop" /><ref name="WP112">{{cite news | last =Blake | first =Aaron | title =Trump pitches a Pelosi conspiracy theory, which quickly goes up in flames | newspaper =The Washington Post | location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =November 2, 2022 | url =https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/02/trump-watters-pelosi-glass/ | accessdate =November 3, 2022 | archive-date =November 3, 2022 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20221103021046/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/02/trump-watters-pelosi-glass/ | url-status =live}}</ref> Some right-wing pundits depicted the attack on Pelosi as a random crime, blaming Democrats for it, rather than a targeted assault.<ref name="LATimesNewDetails" /> Some spreaders of misinformation seized on early inaccurate reporting by some news outlets in the immediate aftermath of the attack; despite the outlets providing corrections, these reports fueled baseless conspiracy theories that went viral online and in right-wing circles.<ref name="politifact">{{cite web |last1=O'Rourke |first1=Ciara |title=No, DePape didn't strip to his underwear and jog to the Pelosis' house |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/nov/02/viral-image/no-depape-didnt-strip-to-his-underwear-and-jog-to/ |website=PolitiFact |access-date=7 November 2022 |date=2 November 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107055134/https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/nov/02/viral-image/no-depape-didnt-strip-to-his-underwear-and-jog-to/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Farhi |first1=Paul |title=NBC retracts erroneous Paul Pelosi story that fueled conspiracy theories |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/11/05/nbc-paul-pelosi-retracted-story/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=7 November 2022 |date=5 November 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107123743/https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/11/05/nbc-paul-pelosi-retracted-story/ |url-status=live}} [https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/11/05/nbc-paul-pelosi-retracted-story/ Archive]</ref><ref name="AlmaguerSuspended">{{cite web |author=Lachlan Cartwright |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/nbc-news-suspends-miguel-almaguer-reporter-behind-retracted-paul-pelosi-story|work=Daily Beast|title=NBC News Suspends Reporter for Retracted Paul Pelosi Story |date=November 15, 2022 |access-date=November 19, 2022 |archive-date=November 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119085106/https://www.thedailybeast.com/nbc-news-suspends-miguel-almaguer-reporter-behind-retracted-paul-pelosi-story |url-status=live}}</ref> Trump Jr. responded to a tweet making fun of Pelosi about a Halloween "costume" of just a hammer and a pair of white briefs, writing, "The Internet remains undefeated."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/31/politics/donald-trump-jr-paul-pelosi-reaction/index.html|title=Analysis: Donald Trump Jr.'s reaction to Paul Pelosi's attack shows exactly how low we have sunk|work=CNN|first=Chris|last=Cilizza|date=October 31, 2022|access-date=September 22, 2024}}</ref>
Philip Bump, a columnist for ''The Washington Post'', wrote that misinformed narratives about the event either focused on "what Democrats are doing wrong, instead of having to talk about where right-wing rhetoric is problematic" or portrayed "Democratic leaders not as actual targets of violence but, instead, as the real wrongdoers". Bump wrote that these false narratives gained popularity among right-wing users on social media, where there was "an audience for extreme conspiracy theories"; "an infrastructure for vetting and promoting them"; and "very little interest in self-correcting".<ref name="broken">{{cite news | last = Bum|first = Philip|date = October 31, 2022|title = The Paul Pelosi attack aftermath highlights what's broken in politics|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/31/paul-pelosi-attack-right-wing/|newspaper=The Washington Post|accessdate=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221101012904/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/31/paul-pelosi-attack-right-wing/|archive-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref>
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Commons}} {{Reflist}}
== Further reading == *[https://cand.uscourts.gov/united-states-vs-david-wayne-depape ''United States v. David Wayne DePape''] - case documents from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
{{Nancy Pelosi}} {{Alt-right footer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pelosi, Paul}} Category:2022 crimes in California Category:2022 in San Francisco Category:Articles containing video clips Category:Attacks in the United States in 2022 Category:Conspiracy theories promoted by Donald Trump Category:Crimes in San Francisco Category:False flag conspiracy theories Category:Hammer assaults Category:Nancy Pelosi Category:October 2022 crimes in the United States Category:Political violence in the United States Category:Violence against men in the United States Category:QAnon Category:Failed terrorist attempts in the United States Category:Filmed crimes in the United States