Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is seeking a “very long” sentence for the man who attacked her husband, Paul Pelosi, in their home over a year ago. Paul Pelosi continues to suffer from dizziness, headaches, balance problems, nerve pain, and walking challenges after being struck with a hammer by David DePape. In a letter to a federal judge, Paul Pelosi detailed his ongoing health problems and the impact the attack has had on his daily life, including difficulty using his left hand for basic tasks.
Paul Pelosi also mentioned that he struggled with sleeping alone in their home after the attack, as he kept remembering the defendant breaking in. The nerves in his left hand were severely damaged during the attack, making simple tasks like using buttons, cutlery, and tools more challenging. Nancy Pelosi has requested a “very long” sentence for DePape, describing the attack as filling her with fear and pain. She revealed that she and her husband have not discussed the events of that night, as revisiting the trauma would only renew his trauma, according to doctors’ advice.
Nancy Pelosi’s chief of staff mentioned anxiety within the speaker’s office following the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol assault, when rioters chanted “Where’s Nancy?” This incident added to the fear and insecurity felt by the Pelosis after the attack on Paul Pelosi by DePape. The Justice Department is seeking a 40-year prison term for DePape, who was convicted last year for attempting to kidnap a federal official and assaulting the immediate family member of a federal official. A second trial in state court will begin in the coming weeks.
During his federal trial, DePape tearfully admitted to breaking into the Pelosi home with the intention of holding the speaker hostage and threatening violence if she lied to him. He confessed to bludgeoning Paul Pelosi with a hammer after police showed up, revealing his plan to end what he believed to be government corruption was failing. Defense attorneys argued that DePape’s actions were motivated by his political beliefs and not an attempt to interfere with the speaker’s official duties as a member of Congress.
The attack on Paul Pelosi, captured on police body camera video, occurred just days before the midterm elections and shocked the political world. DePape’s actions have raised concerns about the safety and security of elected officials and their families, particularly after the trauma caused by the Jan. 6 Capitol assault. The ongoing impact on Paul Pelosi’s health and daily life serves as a reminder of the lasting consequences of violent attacks on individuals and their loved ones.
