Paul Pelosi, husband of Nancy Pelosi, attacked in San Francisco dwelling
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The husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was attacked during an early-morning break-in at the couple’s San Francisco home, her office said Friday.
“Early this morning, an assailant broke into the Pelosi residence in San Francisco and violently assaulted Mr. Pelosi,” Drew Hammill, a spokesman for the speaker, said in a statement. “The assailant is in custody and the motivation for the attack is under investigation.”
An initial report says that the suspect used a hammer in the attack, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk freely about the incident.
Paul Pelosi, 82, was taken to a hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
“The Speaker and her family are grateful to the first responders and medical professionals involved, and request privacy at this time,” Hammill said.
The US Capitol Police said in a statement that it is assisting the FBI and San Francisco police in an investigation of the break-in and attack.
“Special Agents with the USCP’s California Field Office quickly arrived on scene, while a team of investigators from the Department’s Threat Assessment Section was simultaneously dispatched from the East Coast to assist the FBI and the San Francisco Police with a joint investigation,” US Capitol Police said.
Nancy Pelosi, who has been fundraising and campaigning with Democrats around the country, was in Washington at the time with her protective detail, according to Capitol police. The speaker, who is second in line to the presidency, has a security detail provided by US Capitol Police.
The speaker had been in Zagreb, Croatia, earlier this week for a forum on Crimea, returned to Washington to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and was in San Francisco on Wednesday morning for an event at the Golden Gate Bridge.
Because he is not an elected official, Paul Pelosi does not receive protection from the United States Capitol Police or any other entity when he is not with the speaker, according to three people familiar with the security protocol.
President Biden spoke to Nancy Pelosi to “express his support after this horrible attack,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
“The President is praying for Paul Pelosi and for Speaker Pelosi’s whole family,” Jean-Pierre said. “He is also very glad that a full recovery is expected. The President continues to condemn all violence, and asks that the family’s desire for privacy be respected.”
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (DN.Y.) said in a statement that he expressed his concern in a call with the speaker.
“What happened to Paul Pelosi was a dastardly act,” Schumer said. “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.”
In a tweet, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wrote, “Horrified and disgusted by the reports that Paul Pelosi was assaulted in his and Speaker Pelosi’s home last night. 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.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who was recently threatened at her home, said Speaker Pelosi “was very sympathetic to the need to get additional security for members.”
“She really recognizes the changed threat to members in this environment and particularly after January 6,” Jayapal said, referring to the 2021 attack on the Capitol.
Jayapal added that the need for security for family members “has been an ongoing concern” because family members don’t receive protection, and that it has been a challenge because such arrangements must be approved in the appropriations process by both parties.
Paul Pelosi owns Financial Leasing Services, a San Francisco-based real estate and venture capital investment and consulting firm. He met his wife while studying at Georgetown University. She was a student at Trinity College at the time. The Pelosis have been married for 59 years and have five children.
Paul Pelosi was in the news in August when he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence and causing injury stemming from a May car crash in Northern California.
In 2021, the Pelosi home in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood was spray-painted and a pig’s head was left on the sidewalk in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. The incident was apparently in criticism of Congress over insufficient coronavirus pandemic relief.
