Alleged Pelosi attacker pleads not guilty

David DePape allegedly told police officers he was on a “suicide mission” after they tackled him during Friday’s attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to a document filed in court Tuesday. Police said they found DePape beating Paul Pelosi with a hammer at his home in San Francisco. DePape’s public defender entered a not-guilty plea on Tuesday, and DePape is being held without bail. He’s facing state charges of attempted murder, burglary, and elder abuse. He also faces federal charges, including the attempted kidnapping of a U.S. official. DePape’s public defender plans to look into DePape’s mental state.

What was DePape’s motive? DePape allegedly asked, “Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?” before assaulting Paul Pelosi. Nancy Pelosi was in Washington, D.C. The district attorney wrote that DePape forced his way into Pelosi’s home to kidnap the person third in line for the presidency, and that there were no security people in the house at the time of the attack. Without being questioned, DePape spoke with officers and medical staff at the scene, talking about “lies coming out of Washington, D.C.,” and saying, “I’m not going to stand here and do nothing,” according to a court filing. He allegedly had planned other attacks. 

Dig deeper: From the WORLD archives, read Emily Belz’s report about political extremism and domestic terrorism.