- The motive is under investigation, but sources told the AP that Pelosi’s home was a specific target.
- The suspect beat Paul Pelosi with a hammer.
- Paul Pelosi was taken to a hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul Pelosi was “violently assaulted” early Friday by an attacker who broke into their San Francisco home, according to a statement from her office.
- The assailant severely beat Paul Pelosi with a hammer and specifically targeted the Pelosi’s home, the Associated Press reported, citing sources with knowledge of the investigation.
- He suffered blunt force trauma to his head and body. Pelosi, 82, was taken to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, the speaker’s office said. Nancy Pelosi, who is second in line to the presidency, was in Washington at the time of the assault.
- San Francisco Police Chief William Scott has announced a press conference for 9:30 a.m. PST.
Here’s what we know:
A joint investigation into the attack is underway
The motive for the attack is under investigation, according to a joint statement from the U.S. Capitol Police, FBI and San Francisco Police. The joint inquiry appeared to underscore law enforcement’s increasing focus on the risk to public officials in the volatile political climate
The assailant is in custody, authorities said, but they did not release the person’s name.
Jan. 6 hearing: Video shows Nancy Pelosi faced risk of violence as angry mob hunted her in Capitol
San Francisco Police responded to a report of a break-in at 2:27 a.m. in the 2600 block of Broadway in the affluent Pacific Heights neighborhood, where the speaker and her husband live.
Special agents from the Capitol Police California field office quickly arrived on scene, according to authorities, before investigators from multiple agencies were assigned to the case.
“The Speaker and her family are grateful to the first responders and medical professionals involved, and request privacy at this time,” Pelosi’s spokesman Drew Hammill said.
Biden, Schumer, Harris offer support for Pelosi
The attack raises additional questions about the safety of members of Congress and their families as threats to lawmakers are at an all-time high almost two years after the violent Capitol insurrection.
“What happened to Paul Pelosi was a dastardly act,” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. “I spoke with Speaker Pelosi earlier this morning and conveyed my deepest concern and heartfelt wishes to her husband and their family, and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
President Joe Biden called the speaker to “express his support after this horrible attack” and is praying for Paul Pelosi and the Pelosi family, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “He is also very glad that a full recovery is expected,” she said.
Vice President Kamala Harris said she and second gentleman Doug Emhoff are “appalled” by the attack.
“The entire Pelosi family is in our hearts and we wish him a speedy recovery,” she wrote in a tweet.
Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell: ‘Horrified and disgusted’
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he’s “horrified and disgusted” by reports of the assault on Paul Pelosi.
“Grateful to hear that Paul is on track to make a full recovery and that law enforcement including our stellar Capitol Police are on the case,” McConnell said in a statement.
McCarthy reached out to Pelosi and is ‘praying for a full recovery’
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy reached out to Pelosi “to check in on Paul and said he’s praying for a full recovery and is thankful they caught the assailant,” said McCarthy’s office in a statement.
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz calls assault on Paul Pelosi ‘horrific’
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a frequent critic of the speaker, called Paul Pelosi’s assault “horrific” and said he’s praying for the Pelosi family.
“May God’s protection be upon them. We can have our political differences, but violence is always wrong & unacceptable,” Cruz said in a tweet.
Paul Pelosi’s stock trading the subject of scrutiny
Paul Pelosi pleaded guilty in August to a misdemeanor of driving under the influence charge after he was involved in a May crash in Napa Valley and recorded a .082% blood alcohol level, above the legal limit. He was sentenced to five days in jail and three years of probation.
Paul Pelosi, a wealthy investor, has drawn scrutiny from Republicans for successful stock trades they say are tied to policy.
Speaker Pelosi has access to confidential intelligence and the ability to influence policy decisions that could potentially impact publicly traded companies. Facing public pressure, Congress has debated whether members should be able to buy and sell stocks.
The speaker in December said it’s “a free-market economy” and members should be able to participate in the stock market. Earlier this year, Pelosi said the House would introduce a bill that would ban lawmakers from trading, but it hasn’t reached a floor vote.
Members of Congress have received additional money for security at their homes, but some have pushed for more protection as people have showed up at their homes and as members have received an increasing amount of threatening communications.
This is a developing story. USA TODAY will continue to update.
Contributing: AP
