Man held after Pelosi home attack

The man who clubbed US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband in the head with hammer, shouting “Where is Nancy?” after forcing his way into the couple’s San Francisco home faces charges of attempted murder among a string of other felonies.

Police have not offered a motive for Friday’s assault on Paul Pelosi, 82, who underwent surgery for a skull fracture and injuries to his hands and arm. Doctors expect full recovery. President Joe Biden told reporters the attack was apparently “intended for Nancy”.

The incident stoked fears about political violence less than two weeks ahead of midterm elections on November 8 that will decide control of the House of Representatives and Senate, coming amid the most vitriolic and polarised US political climate in decades.

The House speaker herself, a Democrat who is second in the constitutional line of succession to the US presidency, was in Washington at the time.

Police identified the suspect as David Depape, 42. He, too, was taken to a San Francisco hospital, but it was unclear whether he was there for medical or psychiatric care or both.

Sheriff’s records showed he was booked into custody on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, battery, burglary, threatening a public official or family member, and more. Formal charges were filed on Monday, and his arraignment is expected on Tuesday.

In the search for a motive, attention turned to Depape’s apparent internet profile.

On several websites, a user named “daviddepape” expresses support for former President Donald Trump and embraces the cult-like conspiracy theory Qanon. including references to “satanic paedophilia,” anti-semitic tropes and criticism of women, transgender people and censorship by tech companies.