Paul Pelosi attack could influence Nancy Pelosi’s retirement plans [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi talked about the brutal attack on her husband in her first televised interview on Monday.
• She said that it was painful for her knowing that she was the intended target, and lamented that it was inflamed by “misinformation.”
• She said that the attack could impact her decision on whether to retire from Congress.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that her retirement plans could be affected by the recent attack on her husband Paul Pelosi, adding that it was painful knowing that she was the intended target.

The speaker made the remarks in her first televised interview since her husband’s attack on Monday.

Speaking with CNN host Anderson Cooper, she recalled the morning that U.S. Capitol Police woke her at her Washington apartment to inform her that her 82-year-old husband had been attacked at their San Francisco home.

Nancy Pelosi, also 82, said that “the really hard part” for her was knowing that she was the intended victim. “Paul was not the target, and he is the one who is paying the price,” she said.

She lamented that the attack was “a flame that was fueled by misinformation.”

Cooper quoted President Joe Biden, who pointed out the eerie similarity between the intruder repeatedly asking “Where is Nancy?”, “the same words used by the mob when they stormed the United States Capitol on January 6.”

Nancy Pelosi agreed with the similarity, but emphasized the importance of shifting the focus toward healing. She added that the recent violence should not discourage or scare anyone from pursuing public service.

Cooper asked her if she had decided on whether to retire from Congress or her post as House Speaker, if the Democrats lose control after the midterms.

The speaker hesitated, but responded, “I have to say, my decision will be affected by what happened the last week or two.” When asked if she was referring to the attack on her husband, she said, “Yes.”

Pelosi alluded to another thing that could impact her decision, but she did not finish her thought. She instead said that she felt “blessed” by her 35 years of public service in the House.

According to court affidavits filed by prosecutors, 42-year-old suspect David Wayne DePape told police after his arrest that he had intended to kidnap Nancy Pelosi. He had wished to interrogate her and break her kneecaps if she “lied.”

DePape allegedly broke into the Pelosis’ home and crept into the upstairs bedroom, awakening Paul Pelosi. DePape demanded to see the speaker, who had returned to Washington the night before. Paul Pelosi managed to call 911, after which police arrived to witness the intruder strike him over the head with a hammer.

A federal court has charged DePape with attempted kidnapping and assault. A California state court charged him separately with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, elder abuse, false imprisonment, and threatening a public official, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Source: Reuters