Pelosi attacker was on 'suicide mission', officials say

Law enforcement agents say David DePape wanted to attack not only US House speaker but also other politicians

David Wayne DePape, who is charged with breaking into US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and clubbing her husband in the head with a hammer, at a court in San Francisco, California. ReutersShow less

The intruder who allegedly beat Paul Pelosi, husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with a hammer at their California home last week was on a “suicide mission”, law enforcement officials said.

David DePape, who left Mr Pelosi unconscious in a pool of blood, was intent on not only breaking the House speaker's kneecaps but also attacking other politicians and their relatives.

Mr DePape, 42, on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges.

He made his first court appearance on Tuesday in San Francisco’s Hall of Justice after he allegedly broke into the Pelosi residence last week looking to kidnap the House speaker and instead found Mr Pelosi home alone.

After the October 28 attack but before he was questioned by police, Mr DePape told officers and medics at the Pelosi residence that he was “sick of” the “level of lies coming out of Washington, DC”, a court filing showed.

“I didn't really want to hurt him, but you know, this was a suicide mission,” Mr DePape said of the altercation with Mr Pelosi.

“I’m not going to stand here and do nothing even if it costs me my life.”

Charges filed against Mr DePape by the San Francisco District Attorney include assault, residential burglary, elder abuse, false imprisonment of an elder and threatening a public official’s family member.

The US Justice Department separately accused him of attempted kidnapping and assault. Mr DePape faces decades in prison in both cases if convicted.

Mr Pelosi, 82, suffered a fractured skull and serious injuries to his right arm and hands while struggling against an intruder early on the morning of October 28.

Mr DePape, who has long hair and appeared in an orange jumpsuit, stayed silent during a brief hearing. His lawyer, public defender Adam Lipson, entered the not-guilty plea and denied the allegations.

Outside court, Mr Lipson said Mr DePape may have been influenced by political “misinformation” and said that could factor into his client’s defence.

Superior Court Judge Diane Northway ordered Mr DePape to remain in custody without bail after confirming with a prosecutor that the alleged assault on Mr Pelosi took place in front of two armed police officers. The judge set Mr DePape’s next hearing for November 4.

Mr DePape, who authorities say has lived for the last two years in a residential garage in Richmond, California, has been linked to personal blogs that railed against the government and technology companies, and espoused far-right conspiracy theories.

Agencies contributed to this report

Paul Pelosi, the husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was violently assaulted by a hammer-wielding attacker in the couple's San Francisco home. Reuters

San Francisco police officers and FBI agents gather in front of the Pelosi home after the attack. Getty Images / AFP

Suspected attacker David Depape in 2013. AP

The Associated Press reported that the assailant had been searching for Ms Pelosi when he entered her residence, shouting: 'Where is Nancy, where is Nancy?' Getty Images / AFP

A police officer rolls out yellow tape near the Pelosi residence. The attack on Mr Pelosi comes before the US midterms and is the latest violence against a political figure. AP

Police tape is seen in front of the Pelosi home. Getty Images / AFP

A screengrab taken from video shows damage to the Pelosi home. Reuters

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has previously said she uses campaign funds to pay for additional security due to concerns for her safety. Getty Images / AFP

In July, she faulted the police response after she was harassed by a right-wing agitator who recorded a video of himself making vulgar comments about her as she entered the US Capitol. EPA

Steve Scalise, a congressman, was shot at a baseball practice in 2017. Getty Images / AFP

A man was arrested outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and charged with attempted murder in June. AP

Police outside Mr Kavanaugh's home after the Supreme Court ended the federal right to abortion. Reuters

Police guard Mr Kavanaugh's home in Maryland. Getty Images / AFP

Nancy and Paul Pelosi arrive for the Time 100 Gala at Lincoln Centre in New York. AFP

The Pelosis in 2019. AP

Pope Francis meets the Pelosis at the Vatican in June 2022. AFP

America has long grappled with political violence. President John F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. AP

Robert F Kennedy, JFK's brother, was assassinated in Los Angeles in 1968. AP

Police and Secret Service agents react during the assassination attempt on then US president Ronald Reagan in 1981. AFP

Mr Reagan is shoved into the president's limousine after being shot outside a Washington hotel. AP

Reagan was hit by one of six shots fired by John Hinckley (not pictured). AP