Pelosi’s assailant had zip ties with him

WASHINGTON — The man accused of assaulting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband was wearing a harness when he broke into the couple’s San Francisco home, according to a person briefed on the investigation, the latest parallel to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. , 2021 year.

The person was not authorized to discuss Pelosi’s case publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday.

The attack on the 82-year-old husband of Democratic leader Paul Pelosi less than two weeks before the Nov. 8 election that will determine control of Congress was a stark reminder of the country’s toxic political climate.

Police said the suspect, identified as David Depape, 42, confronted Paul Pelosi at the family’s Pacific Heights home Friday morning and, according to the AP, demanded to know, “Where’s Nancy?”

The two men struggled over a hammer before officers who responded to a 911 call to the home saw DePape hit Paul Pelosi at least once, police said. DePape was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, elder abuse and burglary. He is expected to be arraigned early next week.

Horrible echoes of the January 6th riots were evident in the attack on Paul Pelosi.

Rioters who took over the Capitol in an attempt to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory over Donald Trump roamed the corridors and shouted demands: “Where’s Nancy?” Some during the siege were seen inside the Capitol with ties.

The violent attack on the Congress leader’s family came at a time when threats against legislators and other political officials reached an all-time high today.

Nancy Pelosi was in Washington when her husband was attacked. She soon returned to San Francisco, where her husband was hospitalized. He underwent surgery for a fractured skull and suffered other injuries to his hands and arms, her office said.

“Our children, our grandchildren and I are heartbroken and traumatized by the life-threatening attack on our dad,” she said in a letter to colleagues Saturday night. “We are grateful for the quick response of law enforcement and emergency services, as well as the life-saving medical care he received.”

Paul Pelosi remains hospitalized and “continues to improve,” she told colleagues.