Paul Pelosi, husband of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, was attacked early Friday morning (local time) at his home in the city of San Francisco, in the state of California (east).
According to the Speaker’s spokesman, Drew Hammill, in a statement, the assailant «violently» assaulted Paul Pelosi, who has been taken to a hospital where he is expected to recover satisfactorily.
Sources at San Francisco General Hospital consulted by NBC have detailed that Paul Pelosi has undergone surgery, although they have denied previous information that pointed to a cranial surgery.
«The president (of the House of Representatives) and her family are grateful to the emergency personnel and the medical professionals involved,» said Hammill, who also expressed the family’s desire for «privacy» at this time.
Hammill reported that Nancy Pelosi was not at home at the time of the incident. Later, CNN sources pointed out that the main target of the assailant was precisely the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
«Where is Nancy?» the assailant shouted at Paul Pelosi shortly before allegedly hitting him on the head with a hammer, according to the aforementioned sources.
Other sources familiar with the matter confirmed that the assailant had entered the Pelosi home from the back, which, due to Nancy’s absence, did not have special security equipment.
Later, the police indicated that the perpetrator of the assault was David Depape, 42, who was detained and arrested by the officers. Depape will be tried for attempted murder and other possible crimes.
RESPONSE FROM WASHINGTON For its part, the White House has issued a statement in which it can be read that the President of the United States, Joe Biden, «is praying» for Paul Pelosi, as well as for the rest of his family.
Biden has called Pelosi to express his support after «this horrific attack» while also welcoming news that a speedy recovery is expected. «The president condemns all violence and asks that the family’s desire for privacy be respected,» he concludes.
In the same vein, the Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch MacConnell, has shown his frontal rejection of the incident, assuring on his social networks to feel «horrified and disgusted», while relieved to learn that Paul Pelosi «is on the road to full recovery».
From the Democratic bench, Chuck Schumer has criticized the «cowardly act» against Paul Pelosi and has informed that he has already contacted the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives to express his support.
In addition, the U.S. Capitol Police have issued a statement confirming that they are involved in «a joint investigation» with the FBI and the San Francisco Police. There are several security cameras in the area, which could provide authorities with a video of the moment.
