NBC Removes Video About Paul Pelosi From Website

The NBC Universal logo is seen on its headquarters building in Los Angeles, Calif., in a file photograph. David McNew/Getty Images

NBC on Nov. 4 took down a clip that aired during the company’s “Today” show hours earlier featuring a reporter, citing sources, talking about the attack on Paul Pelosi.

Miguel Almaguer, the reporter, said that the police officers who went to the Pelosi residence on Oct. 28 “were seemingly unaware it was the home of the speaker of the House,” or Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Almaguer also said that the officers knocked on the door and announced themselves. Court documents say Paul Pelosi opened the door. Almaguer said that Paul Pelosi “did not immediately declare an emergency or try to leave his home but instead began walking several feet back towards the assailant and away from the police.”

He also said that “it was unclear if the 82-year-old was already injured or what his mental state was.”

The reporter cited “sources familiar with what unfolded in the Pelosi residence.”

The webpage that hosted the video now lists it as being “expired.” An editor’s note added to the page says that “The piece should not have aired because it did not meet NBC News reporting standards.”

The same video is still available on NBC.com.

An NBC spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Almaguer could not be reached.

Today also deleted a Twitter post it made promoting the video.

Accounts of Events Filed

According to authorities, a man named David DePape broke into the Pelosi home in San Francisco around 2 a.m. on Oct. 28 and woke Paul Pelosi up, demanding to know where his wife was. DePape told officers he intended to kidnap Nancy Pelosi and break her kneecaps if she did not tell the truth.

Paul Pelosi asked for permission to use the bathroom and DePape let him, according to the documents. Paul Pelosi called 911. DePape and Paul Pelosi then went downstairs, where they were when the officers arrived within minutes of the call.

According to a motion filed by San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’ office, an officer rang the doorbell after he and a partner arrived at the scene. DePape directed Paul Pelosi not to answer the door, but Paul Pelosi did so anyways. As the door opened, officers saw the two men in the “dimly lit foyer” facing the officers. Paul Pelosi “nervously but calmly greeted them,” the motion stated. DePape said that “everything’s good.” An officer clicked on his flashlight and saw DePape holding the handle of a hammer with one hand and Paul Pelosi’s right arm with another. Paul Pelosi had a hand on the top of the hammer.

One of the officers said, “drop the hammer!” DePape allegedly said, “um, nope.” DePape tried pulling the hammer away, and successfully did so moments later. He then stepped back and struck Paul Pelosi in the head at full force with the hammer.

Officers then tackled DePape and disarmed him.

San Francisco authorities have refused to release the call or body camera footage from the responding officers.

An affidavit from an FBI agent, supporting the federal charges against DePape, also did not mention Paul Pelosi walking back.

“When the door was opened, Pelosi and DEPAPE were both holding a hammer with one hand and DEPAPE had his other hand holding onto Pelosi’s forearm. Pelosi greeted the officers,” Stephanie Minor, the agent, wrote.

DePape told the officers that everything was good and then refused to comply with the request to drop the hammer, instead gaining control of it and striking Paul Pelosi, Minor added.

DePape has not shared his side of the story and his public defender, Adam Lipson, has not commented on the case’s particulars, telling reporters this week that he still hadn’t gone over the San Francisco District Attorney’s most recent filing.

Paul Pelosi underwent emergency surgery and has since been released from the hospital. DePape is being held, without bail for now.