Paul Pelosi leaves hospital after attack in California home

Attempted kidnapping of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi latest in US political violence

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

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul Pelosi, left hospital on Thursday after treatment for injuries from a violent attack by an intruder in his California home last week.

Mr Pelosi needed skull surgery and other treatment after the alleged attacker, David DePape, assaulted him with a hammer in the Pelosis' San Francisco residence.

“Paul is grateful to the 911 operator, emergency responders, trauma care team, ICU staff and the entire [...] medical staff for their excellent and compassionate life-saving treatment he received," Ms Pelosi said in a statement.

“Paul remains under doctors’ care as he continues to progress on a long recovery process and convalescence. He is now home surrounded by his family, who request privacy.”

Mr DePape told investigators he wanted to meet Ms Pelosi and to “break her kneecaps” if she did not tell the “truth” about the “lies” he believed that Democrats spread.

“Thankfully, by the grace of God, Paul survived all this,” US President Joe Biden said during a speech on anti-democratic threats on Wednesday evening.

The assault marks the latest incidence of political violence in the country.

Two of the highest-ranking Republicans in Congress condemned the attack: Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted that he was “horrified and disgusted”, while House Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said in an interview: “What happened to Paul Pelosi is wrong”.

Meanwhile, others in the Republican Party, including candidates running in the midterms, were silent or spread conspiracy theories about the attack.

“There's an alarming rise in the number of our people in this country condoning political violence,” Mr Biden said as part of his speech.

“Silence is complicity.”