No Security at Pelosi Home When Man Assaulted Paul Pelosi: District Attorney

A screen grab taken from video shows damage to the home of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after her husband Paul Pelosi was assaulted during a break-in at their house in San Francisco, Calif., on Oct. 28, 2022. KGO-TV via ABC via Reuters

No security was present at the Pelosi residence when a man allegedly broke in on Oct. 28 and assaulted Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), with a hammer, San Francisco’s top prosecutor said on Oct. 31.

“There was no security present,” interim District Attorney Brooke Jenkins told reporters during a press conference as she announced felony charges that include attempted murder against David DePape.

DePape, 42, was able to break a window in a glass door at the rear of the Pelosi residence in San Francisco and force his way inside, Jenkins said. He then went upstairs to a bedroom, where Paul Pelosi was sleeping, according to authorities.

Pelosi, 82, was awakened by DePape, who asked where Nancy Pelosi was. When he was told she wasn’t there, he said he would wait for her. Paul Pelosi asked to use the bathroom, according to Jenkins, and while inside called 911.

Once DePape figured out a call had been made, he took Pelosi downstairs.

Officers arrived within two minutes of the call, Jenkins said.

Officers knocked on the door, however, the person who opened it to police remains unclear. An FBI affidavit said it was Pelosi but Jenkins said that authorities don’t know which of the men opened the door.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) (L) and her husband Paul Pelosi, outside of 10 Downing Street in London, on Sept. 16, 2021. Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

Officers ordered the men to drop a hammer they were struggling with, but DePape took control and struck Pelosi on the head with it, prosecutors say.

Officers then tackled DePape, disarming him, and rendered aid to Pelosi, who, according to a statement from Nancy Pelosi’s office, "underwent successful surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands. His doctors expect a full recovery.”

San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said the officers “did their job.”

DePape later told officers that he intended to kidnap the House speaker and question her, according to the affidavit. If she didn’t tell the truth, he said he would break her kneecaps.

Nancy Pelosi was in Washington at the time of the attack with her protective detail, according to the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP).

San Francisco police officers are currently guarding the Pelosi residence, Scott said. Local authorities have been in touch with the USCP.

“We will do whatever is necessary and will sort out whatever we need to sort out in terms of what happens long term, but right now we want to make sure that people are safe, that they feel safe,” Scott said. “This has shaken a lot of people and we want to make sure we do what we can.”

Because of past threats, San Francisco officers have at times been posted at the home, he added. A spokesperson for Pelosi didn’t respond to requests for comment about the lack of security at the residence. Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi, have a combined net worth of approximately $344 million.

It’s unclear if DePape has obtained legal representation. He was scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 1.