Federal prosecutors seek 40-year sentence for man who assaulted Pelosi’s husband with hammer

The man who broke into former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco home seeking to hold her hostage and attacked her husband with a hammer is facing a 40-year prison sentence, as federal prosecutors are pushing for the maximum penalty.

David DePape, convicted last year of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official, has not shown any remorse for the October 2022 attack. Prosecutors argue that there is nothing in his history or characteristics that warrant leniency, as he admitted to knowing what he was doing and even bragged about it.

The shocking attack on then-82-year-old Paul Pelosi, captured on police body camera video just days before the midterm elections, sent shockwaves through the political world. DePape testified during the trial that he intended to hold the speaker hostage and harm her if she lied to him. He also confessed to assaulting Paul Pelosi with a hammer after police arrived at the scene, claiming his plan to end what he perceived as government corruption was falling apart.

Defense attorneys argued that DePape’s actions were motivated by his political beliefs and involvement in conspiracy theories. Nancy Pelosi was not present during the attack, but Paul Pelosi sustained serious injuries, including a skull fracture that required surgical intervention. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Friday, where DePape could face a lengthy prison term for his violent actions.