The sound was unmistakable – and potentially shattering.
It was yet another reverberating silence at a time when we needed to hear everyone speak out in condemnation. Thankfully, this time it was not a total silence. But it was an inexcusable silence from far too many famous names from one political party – the Republicans.
A violent attack had just occurred at the San Francisco home of the Democratic speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. Only by the grace of God, it didn’t end up as a political assassination. But it did result in the wounding of the only one who was home, her 82-year-old husband, Paul. An intruder, fired up by right-wing zealotry, had broken into the Pelosi home carrying a hammer, rope, ties and tape. He kept asking: “Where is Nancy?” It was the same thing Jan. 6 pro-Trump insurrectionists were yelling inside the Capitol.
During the presidency of Donald Trump, Republicans had made the bashing of Pelosi a rallying cry and a fundraising scheme. Who knew that someone among the gullible masses would take the demonizing of Pelosi seriously? David DePape, 42, a Canadian who has been illegally living in the United States, had become fond of spreading QAnon conspiracies online. He later told police he wanted to break the House speaker’s kneecaps. But she was in Washington so he settled for bashing her husband’s head with a hammer before police arrested him.
Several famous Republicans voiced quick condemnation. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted that he was “horrified and disgusted” by the assault. The House’s No. 2 Republican, Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., tweeted he was “disgusted to hear about the horrific assault … Violence has no place in this country. I’m praying for Paul Pelosi’s full recovery.”
