Man accused of attacking Paul Pelosi facing federal charges
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By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Authorities on Monday filed federal charges against the man accused of beating House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, after breaking into the couple’s home in San Francisco last week.
David Wayne DePape, 42, faces charges of assault on the immediate family member of a federal official and attempted kidnapping of a federal official. In an affidavit made public Monday, officials said DePape told Paul Pelosi that he was looking for Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and that he intended to wait until she returned to the house.
Paul Pelosi told investigators that he was asleep when DePape broke into the Pelosi family’s home on Friday and walked into his bedroom. He said he was able to go into the bathroom and call 911. He told officials that he had never seen DePape before.
Two police officers responding to the 911 call around 2:30 a.m. found Paul Pelosi and DePape struggling over a hammer when they arrived, according to authorities. Chief William “Bill” Scott said last week that DePape got control of the hammer “and violently assaulted (Paul Pelosi) with it.” In court records, officials said DePape hit Paul Pelosi in the head, apparently knocking him unconscious.
Officers tackled DePape and restrained him, according to police and federal investigators.
Authorities said that DePape “was prepared to detain and injure Speaker Pelosi when he entered the Pelosi residence” early on Friday morning. He had zip ties, tape, rope and at least one hammer, officials said.
In an interview with police, DePape said that he planned to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and talk to her.
Through the years 1980: Nancy Patricia Pelosi (born 1940) American politician serving as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2019, and previously from 2007 to 2011. She has served as a U.S. representative from California since 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, Pelosi is the only woman in U.S. history to serve as speaker of the House. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) (Universal History Archive/Universal History Archive/Univer)
Through the years 1990: Representative Nancy Pelosi, D-California, speaks during a news conference after the House of Representatives voted to overrride the presidential veto legislation that guards against sending Chinese scholars home to face possible political persecution. Representative Pelosi chiefly sponsored the bill. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Through the years WASHINGTON, D.C. 1998 : US musician David Crosby (L) speaks with US Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) during a rally of Tibet supporters 15 June at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Tibetan-Americans along with hundreds of supporters rallied to protest China's policy toward Tibet. AFP Photo Tim SLOAN (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP via Getty Images) (TIM SLOAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Through the years UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 10, 2001: Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) holds a symbol of her office as she stands with Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) after she was elected House whip in Washington today. (Photo by Harry Hamburg/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) (New York Daily News Archive/NY Daily News via Getty Images)
Through the years Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks after being sworn in as the House Democratic Whip at the Statuary Hall of the Capitol February 06, 2002 in Washington, DC. Pelosi became the highest-ranking woman ever in the U.S. Congress. (Photo by Manny Ceneta/Getty Images) (Manny Ceneta/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON - JANUARY 04: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) holds up the Speaker's gavel after being elected as the first woman Speaker during a swearing in ceremony for the 110th Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 4, 2007 in Washington, DC. Pelosi will lead House Democrats as the Democratic Party takes control of both houses of Congress. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 21: U.S. House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) listens during a news conference April 21, 2016 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Congressional Democrats held a news conference to call for a raise in the federal minimum wage. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 5: Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence applaud U.S. President Donald Trump at the State of the Union address in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol Building on February 5, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump's second State of the Union address was postponed one week due to the partial government shutdown. (Photo by Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images) (Doug Mills/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 30: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (L) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) lead fellow Congressional Democrats out of the White House following a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House April 30, 2019 in Washington, DC. The Democratic leaders met with Trump to discuss infrastructure. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) looks on during a news conference discussing H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, on Capitol Hill on October 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. The bill aims to end the ban on Medicare negotiating directly with drug companies, and reinvest in innovation medical treatment. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images) (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 18: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) presides over Resolution 755 as the House of Representatives votes on the second article of impeachment of US President Donald Trump at in the House Chamber at the US Capitol Building on December 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to successfully pass two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 08, 2020: (L-R) Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) join fellow Democrats from the House and Senate kneel in silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds to honor George Floyd in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center June 08, 2020 in Washington, DC. Democrats are introducing new legislation to end excessive use of force by police across the country and make it easier to identify, track, and prosecute police misconduct following the recent deaths of unarmed African-Americans in police custody, including George Floyd, and the nationwide demonstrations demanding an overhaul of law enforcement. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 03: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) waves a gavel during the first session of the 117th Congress in the House Chamber at the US Capitol on January 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. Both chambers are holding rare Sunday sessions to open the new Congress on January 3, as the Constitution requires. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Through the years KYIV, UKRAINE - APRIL 30: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presents the Order of Princess Olga, a Ukrainian civil decoration, to U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi during a visit by a U.S. congressional delegation on April 30, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The US Speaker of the House led a congressional delegation, which on a secret meeting with the Ukrainian president that was announced the next day, as they left the country for nearby Poland. (Photo by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/Handout via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 29: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) reacts after signing the CHIPS For America Act during a bill enrollment ceremony outside the U.S. Capitol July 29, 2022 in Washington, DC. The bill, which has now passed in both houses of Congress, is aimed at boosting U.S semiconductor manufacturing and science research to better compete with China. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“If Nancy were to tell (DePape) the ‘truth,’ he would let her go, and if she ‘lied,’ he was going to break ‘her kneecaps,’” officials said in court records. “(DePape) also later explained that by breaking Nancy’s kneecaps, she would then have to be wheeled into Congress, which would show other Members of Congress there were consequences to actions.”
He told investigators that he felt like he had to respond after Paul Pelosi called 911, and that he knew there was no way authorities would ignore the 911 call.
“(DePape) explained that he did not leave after Pelosi’s call to 9-1-1 because, much like the American founding fathers with the British, he was fighting against tyranny without the option of surrender,” authorities said.
Records showed DePape remained jailed Monday afternoon. He was being held without bond on charges including first-degree burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder..
Through the years Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) puts her hand on a Bible held by her grandchildren Alexander Prowda (bottom L) and Liam Kenneally (bottom R) as she is sworn in as the House Democratic Whip, at the Statuary Hall of the Capitol February 06, 2002 in Washington, DC. Pelosi became the highest-ranking woman ever in the U.S. Congress. Her husband Paul is at (L). (Photo by Manny Ceneta/Getty Images) (Manny Ceneta/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 19: Paul Pelosi (L) and Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) attend the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Bridge Dedication Gala at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers November 19, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images) (Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 09: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her husband Paul Pelosi arrive for the 12th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Comedy at the Kennedy Center on November 9, 2010 in Washington, DC. Tina Fey, creator of the television show 30 Rock, is the recipient of this year's prize. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON - JUNE 7: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her husband Paul Pelosi arrive at the White House June 7, 2011 in Washington, DC. Guests arrived to attend a state dinner being held by the Obama's for German Chancellor Angela Merkel. This is the first official visit by a European leader to the White House since Obama became president. Merkel will be presented with the 2010 Medal of Freedom at a state dinner tonight. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images) (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 18: Paul Pelosi (L) and US House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi attend Tony Bennett's 85th Birthday Gala Benefit for Exploring the Arts at The Metropolitan Opera House on September 18, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Tony Bennett) (Jemal Countess)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 04: Nancy Pelosi, Paul Pelosi and Jon Bon Jovi attend the 6Th Annual Exploring the Arts Gala hosted by Tony Bennett And Susan Benedetto at Cipriani 42nd Street on October 4, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Exploring The Arts) (Larry Busacca)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Congresswoman Nancy and her husband, Paul Pelosi are interviewed during the New York premiere of the HBO documentary Fall to Grace at Time Warner Center Screening Room on March 21, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for HBO) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for HBO)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 07: Nancy Pelosi and Paul Pelosi walk the red carpet during the 27th Annual Kennedy Center Honors at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 7, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images) (Kris Connor/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 03: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pictured with her husband, Paul Pelosi, on Capitol Hill on January 3, 2019 in Washington, DC. Under the cloud of a partial federal government shutdown, Pelosi reclaimed her former title as speaker and her fellow Democrats took control of the House of Representatives for the second time in eight years. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images) (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi arrive in the Crypt of the US Capitol for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony to be the 46th President of the United States on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. During today's inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States. (Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images) (Pool/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (2nd R) and her husband Paul Pelosi (C) arrive for a reception honoring Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Mitsotakis in the East Room of the White House on May 16, 2022 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Mitsotakis for bilateral meetings earlier in the day where they talked about allied efforts to "support the people of Ukraine and impose economic costs on Russia for its unprovoked aggression," according to the White House. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: Paul Pelosi, husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), arrives for a reception honoring Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Mitsotakis in the East Room of the White House on May 16, 2022 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Mitsotakis for bilateral meetings earlier in the day where they talked about allied efforts to "support the people of Ukraine and impose economic costs on Russia for its unprovoked aggression," according to the White House. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)