Paul Pelosi attack: man told police of ‘evil’ in Washington

Husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was attacked with a hammer in their San Francisco home in October

Police claim David DePape spoke of his intention to attack California Governor Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks and Hunter Biden. AP

The man accused of attacking the husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said there was “evil in Washington” and he was looking to harm Ms Pelosi because she is second in line for the presidency, a San Francisco police investigator has said.

The intruder, David DePape, accused of striking Ms Pelosi’s husband Paul in the head with a hammer, is on trial for attempted murder and other charges.

Lt Carla Hurley, who interviewed Mr DePape for an hour the day of the attack, said on Wednesday that the defendant told her of other people he wanted to go after, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks and Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden.

Lt Hurley did not say whether police had any evidence of a plot against the other public figures.

Mr DePape, a long-time Bay Area resident, had been active on social media, railing against the government and technology companies, and spreading far-right conspiracy theories.

“There is evil in Washington; what they did went so far beyond the campaign,” Mr DePape told Lt Hurley, according to a recording of their interview that was played in court.

Police say Mr DePape broke into the Pelosi residence early on October 28, aiming to take the House Speaker hostage, but she was in Washington at the time. Mr DePape allegedly attacked her husband after a verbal confrontation.

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

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Stephen Murphy ruled in a preliminary hearing that prosecutors had shown enough evidence to move forward with a trial on state charges including attempted murder.

The defendant “formed the intent early on to take out anyone in his way [and] Mr Pelosi got in his way in particular when he called 911", Mr Murphy said, summing up his view of the evidence.

“He intended to kill Mr Pelosi when he got in his way.”

Besides attempted murder, the state charges against Mr DePape include assault with a deadly weapon, residential burglary, elder abuse, false imprisonment of an elder and threatening a public official’s family member. He has pleaded not guilty.

The defendant also faces charges filed by the Justice Department of attempted kidnapping of a US official and assault of an immediate family member of a US official in retaliation for performing her duties. He faces decades in prison in both cases if convicted.

Mr DePape’s lawyer, public defender Adam Lipson, argued on Wednesday that Mr DePape’s attack was not premeditated.

“What ‘I’m going to take you out’ means isn’t completely clear,” Mr Lipson told Mr Murphy. While Mr DePape clearly thought through breaking into the home, he said, “Mr Pelosi was never a target”.

He is due back in state court on December 28.

News agencies contributed to this report