Man accused of attacking Nancy Pelosi’s husband faces federal trial

Investigators say David DePape broke into the Pelosi’s San Francisco home last October and hit the former U.S. House speaker’s husband, Paul Pelosi, on the head with a hammer. Paul Pelosi had to be hospitalized for six days and received surgery for a skull fracture. Nancy Pelosi was in Washington, D.C., at the time of the attack. In opening statements Thursday, DePape’s attorney argued that, at the time, DePape thought he was protecting the country. DePape pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on an immediate family member of a federal official with intent to retaliate against the official for performance of their duties. DePape has also pleaded not guilty to additional charges in state court.

Why did DePape break into the congresswoman’s home? According to court documents, DePape planned to hold Nancy Pelosi captive. He allegedly said if she told him the “truth,” he would release her, but if she “lied,” he would “break her kneecaps.” Investigators say DePape believed several conspiracy theories regarding the congresswoman and planned to kidnap other government officials.

Dig deeper: Read Emily Belz’s report in WORLD Magazine about the church and QAnon.