Feds: Pelosi Suspect Charged with Trying to Take House Speaker Hostage

WASHINGTON (AP) – A man accused of assaulting Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, told police he wanted to take the speaker hostage and “break her kneecaps,” authorities said Monday.

David DePaipe, 42, confronted a sleeping Paul Pelosi in the couple’s San Francisco bedroom early Friday morning, according to a federal affidavit filed in court Monday.

Federal prosecutors filed two charges against DePaipe days after police said he broke into Pelosi’s home and struck the Democratic leader’s 82-year-old husband in the head with a hammer. He was seriously injured in the attack and underwent surgery for a fractured skull and other injuries to his hands and arms.

DePape is charged with influencing, obstructing or retaliating against a federal official by threatening or injuring a family member. He also faces one count of attempted kidnapping of a United States official in the performance of official duties.

The announcement of the federal charges comes as the San Francisco District Attorney prepares to announce state criminal charges against DePape. He was arrested Friday on suspicion of attempted murder, elder abuse and burglary and is expected to face state charges Tuesday.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins also dismissed conspiracy theories about the attack, confirming that the attacker was targeting the Democratic leader when he broke into the couple’s home and confronted Paul Pelosi.