US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband has been released from hospital after being attacked with a hammer – as the man accused of the brutal attack has been living in the US illegally for 14 years.
Ms Pelosi said Paul Pelosi “continues to be under the care of doctors as he continues to make progress through the lengthy recovery process and recovery period”. “He’s home now,” she added.
The 82-year-old underwent surgery on the injury during the attack at the couple’s home in San Francisco on Friday.
Meanwhile, immigration officials say the man charged with the assault, Paul DePape, is a Canadian citizen who has been in the U.S. illegally since entering the country as a visitor.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it had issued a “detention” notice to San Francisco authorities seeking the 42-year-old man’s custody once the criminal proceedings against him were completed.
While in custody, DePape will be turned over to ICE after serving any sentence for possible deportation to Canada.
Biden condemns attack on Pelosi’s husband
Depp wants to ‘break her kneecap’
DePape told police he wanted to hold Ms Pelosi hostage, according to court documents released earlier this week. “Break her kneecap” If she “sings”.
He is accused of breaking into Mr Pelosi’s home and assaulting him after confronting him while he was sleeping in the couple’s bedroom.
At some point, he looked for the Democratic leader and shouted, “Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?”
Paul Pelosi was violently attacked at the couple’s San Francisco home
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The U.S. Justice Department charged him with assault and attempted kidnapping, both of which carry a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison.
DePape, who was jailed for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, elder abuse, false imprisonment and threats to a public official, has pleaded not guilty to the state charges. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.
Mr. Pelosi underwent surgery for a fractured skull and injuries to his hand and right arm, his wife’s office said. Doctors expect a full recovery.
The Democratic speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the second-in-line presidential candidate, was in Washington, D.C., at the time of the attack, having recently returned from a security summit in Europe.