Two weeks before the midterm elections, an intruder broke into Speaker Pelosi’s home and attacker her husband.
ABC NewsIncident Explained. Early Friday morning, an assailant broke into the home of Speaker Pelosi and found her husband — Paul Pelosi — sleeping in bed. He then confronted Pelosi, asking him, “Where is Nancy?” Pelosi told the attacker he needed to use the bathroom, then called 911 while inside and left the line open so authorities could hear him speaking to the intruder. When law enforcement arrived around 2:30 a.m., they found Pelosi and the assailant struggling over a hammer. The intruder ultimately wrested it from Pelosi and struck him with it, fracturing his skull and causing serious injuries to his right arm and hands. Officers then tackled and disarmed the attacker. Doctors expect Pelosi to make a “full recovery.”
CNN
The attacker carried zip ties, tape, rope, and at least one hammer. He told police he intended to hold the Speaker hostage and “break her kneecaps” if she “lied to him.” He said if he did so, it would “show other members of Congress there were consequences to actions.”
The Attacker. The perpetrator grew up in Canada but moved to San Francisco about 20 years ago. He has been a prominent pro-nudist activist in the Bay Area, protesting against local ordinances requiring residents to wear clothing in public. Beyond that, much remains unclear about the attacker. Reportedly, he spread conspiracy theories on various sites and made racist and anti-Semitic remarks. Misinformation has spread like wildfire in the absence of other details. High-profile figures like Elon Musk have shared now-debunked stories claiming the perpetrator had a relationship with Mr. Pelosi.
Consequences. San Francisco’s District Attorney said the attack appears “politically motivated.” The attacker faces charges of attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, and other felonies, as well as state penalties. The federal charges carry a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison, and additional state charges have a maximum penalty of 13 years.
The New York Times
Lawmakers’ Protection. The attack has reignited concerns among lawmakers about their security amid rising threats against public officials. Pelosi is second in line to the presidency, causing many to question how easily the attacker appeared to gain access to her home. Over the last few years, Congress has ramped up security for members facing active threats and in leadership positions. For example, members of the House panel investigating the January 6 Capitol riots received security details in June as they began their public hearings. While those in senior leadership positions — such as the Speaker — typically have official security, she was in D.C. at the time of the attack, so Capitol Police were not guarding her home. Additionally, most rank-and-file lawmakers and their families do not have official security.
Criticisms and Potential Changes. Many members of Congress have criticized the current security measures, calling them antiquated and inadequate. Beginning in August, the House Sergeant at Arms began covering up to $10,000 for certain security enhancements at members’ private residences. Still, some members say that falls far short of what they need.Senior congressional aides have told outlets they plan to consider options to beef up security measures surrounding members of Congress when they return from recess.
Scalise Shooting. In recent years, political violence has been on the rise. In June 2017, a gunman walked onto the field in Virginia, opening fire on Republicans practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity. He wounded Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA) — a member of the House GOP leadership — in the politically motivated attack. The perpetrator had posted angry messages against former President Trump and other Republican lawmakers on social media and had sought to verify those on the field were Republicans before firing at them.
Seattle Times
Kavanaugh Incident. This summer, authorities arrested an armed man near the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. He told police he plotted to kill the Justice, citing controversial opinions that overturned Roe v. Wade and expanded gun rights. The incident sparked concerns over Supreme Court members’ security.
Pelosi Threats. The incident is not the first time the Speaker has received threats. Last December, the Justice Department charged a North Carolina man for threatening to shoot Pelosi. In February, federal prosecutors charged another man from Arizona for saying he would kill the Speaker. Then in April, authorities arrested a Florida man for threatening to behead Pelosi and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D).
General Rise. Hours after the attack, federal law enforcement agencies distributed a bulletin nationwide warning of a “heightened threat” of domestic violent extremism, driven by those with “ideological grievances.” However, the incident fits a broader trend of rising political violence nationwide. U.S. Capitol Police investigated over 9,500 threats against members of Congress last year — almost three times as many as five years ago.
Netivist
GOP Inflaming Tensions? In the aftermath of the attack, some Democrats have accused Republican politicians and the conservative media of stoking political violence. They say the GOP has persistently demonized the Speaker, leading to increased threats against her. Additionally, they point to some conservatives spreading misinformation or joking about the attack as a failure to condemn the violence.
Dems Lax Crime Policies? While most Republicans condemned the attack, they also said it was a consequence of what they consider Democrats’ lax crime policies. Conservatives have frequently pointed to major cities like San Francisco as evidence of an alleged rising crime wave. The GOP has sought to make crime a central theme in their case against Democrats, and voters have already punished some Democratic officials for the perceived rise — such as a recall of San Francisco’s District Attorney earlier this year.
For years, conservatives have demonized Speaker Pelosi, leading to threats against her and culminating in the recent attack against her husband. The GOP is responsible for rising political violence, promoting fringe conspiracy theories that fuel right-wing extremism. Even in the aftermath of the assault, many failed to denounce the incident, and some even openly mocked it. While everyone else wants to turn down the temperature, Republicans are cranking up the heat and stirring up violence.
The attack on Paul Pelosi is a disturbing reminder that — in liberal-run cities — mental health problems are not adequately being addressed. This disturbed individual living in a drug house lined with pride flags had multiple calls from neighbors involving the police. On each occasion, nothing was done to prevent escalations from his delusions, ultimately resulting in the events at the Pelosi household. The Left has jumped at the opportunity to blame Republicans for what are clearly bad policies in liberal-run cities.
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AP Government & Politics
