MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US: Pelosi “traumatized” after husband attacked with hammer

The assailant apparently also ran a hate speech website

United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi was said to be “traumatized” by the attack on her husband, who was assaulted Friday morning by one man with a hammer.

Pelosi said she and her family were “shattered and traumatized” by the events at the family's California home less than two weeks before the November 8 legislative elections, in which the entire House of Representatives and a third of the Senate seats will be renewed.

President Joe Biden linked the case violence to allegations of voter fraud promoted from Republican ranks.

Paul Pelosi, 82, underwent surgery for a skull fracture and injuries to his right arm and hands. He is progressing favorably but remains hospitalized.

The attacker “demanded to see the Speaker of the House” and “threatened to kill” Paul Pelosi. There were similarities with the Jan. 6, 2021 riots, during which the demonstrators were walking the corridors and shouting “Where is Nancy?”.

The assailant was identified as David DePape, aged 42. He will be charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, and other crimes. He is known to be a supporter of former President Trump. DePape is also in hospital, although the extent of his injuries is unknown.

According to US media, DePape posted on social media theories about electoral fraud in the 2020 presidential elections. DePape has also been reported to spread Holocaust denial messages on social media and blamed the Jews for the war in Ukraine. DePape administered a website devoted to antisemitic propaganda. Recent entries accuse Jews of being behind Russia’s war against Ukraine as a means of buying up the land: “That’s some pretty sick Jewing going on if true.”

“Bomb the country into shit so the residents leave. Buy the land up for cheap,” read another posting. “The more Ukrainians die NEEDLESSLY the cheaper the land will be for Jews to buy up,” the website, which features articles such as one headlined “Hitler did nothing wrong,” went on.