Details About Paul Pelosi's Attacker Point to Mental Health Crisis
While much is still unknown about the attack on the Speaker’s husband, details about the attacker point to a crisis with mental health, not political extremism.
Editorial Team
October 31, 2022
Photo by Andrew George / Unsplash
What happened: On Friday, an attacker allegedly broke into Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco home and attacked her husband Paul Pelosi with a hammer while yelling, “where’s Nancy.” Paul was admitted to a local hospital for surgery to “repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands.” Doctors expect a full recovery.
Why it matters: Despite little information, Democrats blame Republicans for the violence just a week before the midterms. Politicians and journalists have labeled the attacker as a Republican conspiracy theorist.
Conflicting political beliefs: The alleged attacker, David DePape, lived with local nudists in a home that resembled a homeless encampment. His living area displayed Black Lives Matter and LGBT flags while he posted online about stolen elections and QAnon theories. He has a history of drug use, psychosis, and homelessness, and according to the mother of his children, he has been in a psychotic episode.
Some journalists are skeptical: Though the mainstream media narrative may be correct, other journalists are wary about jumping to conclusions, considering that the story is being politically weaponized. It’s still unclear how the assailant broke in, and there is still no video of the break-in despite security cameras on the property.