During the attack on her husband on Friday, U.S. Capitol Police had a video feed of the outside of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s, D-Calif., home in San Francisco, but no one was watching it at the time, according to two persons familiar with the situation.
The Capitol Police can keep an eye on around 1,800 cameras located at the Capitol complex and across the nation. When the break-in happened early on Friday morning, The Washington Post first reported nobody was actively viewing the camera stream.
But when she’s there, Pelosi’s house is constantly watched. One of the insiders told NBC News, “She is the purpose.”
With over 2,300 staff, Capitol Police may not be able to keep an eye on all of its feeds, even those at protectees’ residences when they aren’t there. Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was attacked while she was in Washington.
David DePape, 42, the attacker’s suspect, was charged by California authorities on Tuesday with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, domestic burglary, false detention, and threatening a public authority. DePape entered a not guilty plea after hearing the allegations in state court.
Prosecutors revealed remarks DePape allegedly made to police and medical personnel on Friday in a detention memo they submitted after he entered his plea.
I’m tired of the outrageous degree of lies coming out of Washington, D.C. According to the affidavit, DePape claimed he informed Paul Pelosi, “I came over to have a quick chat with his wife.”
DePape apparently remarked, “I didn’t really want to hurt him, but you know this was a suicide mission.” Even if it means risking my life, “I’m not going to stand here and do nothing.”
When asked if he had any other intentions besides the assault on Pelosi’s home, DePape mentioned a number of “prominent” local professors, families of state and federal politicians, and many “prominent” state and federal politicians.
Paul Pelosi underwent surgery on Friday to treat a skull fracture as well as severe wounds to his right arm and wrists, and he is currently resting in an intensive care unit.
DePape is accused with attempted kidnapping and violence with the intent to retaliate against a federal officer by endangering a family member in a federal complaint that the Justice Department also filed on Monday. According to the filing, DePape declared his desire to kidnap the House speaker and his consideration of breaking her kneecaps.
