David DePape, convicted of attempting to kidnap a federal official and assaulting a family member, was sentenced to 30 years for the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s home, sparking concerns over political violence in the U.S. His extremist beliefs and mental health struggles came to light during the trial.
On October 28, 2022, David DePape broke into the San Francisco home of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, attacking her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer. DePape’s initial plan was to kidnap Nancy Pelosi, who was not at home at the time, and force her to admit to alleged political lies. He asked Paul Pelosi about his wife’s whereabouts before attacking him, resulting in serious injuries, including a skull fracture.
Police officers arrived on the scene shortly after Paul Pelosi called 911, capturing the attack on body-camera footage. The incident heightened concerns over political violence in the U.S., especially as it occurred days before the 2022 midterm elections. DePape, who had a history of promoting conspiracy theories, was convicted in November 2023 of attempting to kidnap a federal official and assaulting a family member of a federal official.
On May 17, 2024, DePape was sentenced to 30 years in prison. During the trial, he expressed regret over injuring Paul Pelosi but maintained his extremist beliefs. DePape’s former partner, Gypsy Taub, described his struggles with mental health issues stemming from childhood abuse. Family members provided contrasting views on his upbringing and state of mind.
Paul Pelosi testified that he has not fully recovered from the attack, which required surgical intervention. Nancy Pelosi was not present during the incident, and she was the intended target of DePape’s actions.