NBC deletes report on Pelosi attack that contradicted sworn FBI, district attorney affidavits
NBC News on Friday afternoon deleted a video report about the violent attack against Paul Pelosi, claiming the piece did not meet its "reporting standards" after allegations in it contradicted testimony from both federal and California authorities.
The original report, copies of which were still available on social media after the network deleted it from its own channels, claimed that "sources" told the network that on the night of the attack, police responded to Paul Pelosi's 911 call at his residence, whereupon their arrival he opened the door for them.
Pelosi "did not immediately declare an emergency, or try to leave his home," NBC News claimed; rather, he "began walking several feet back into the foyer, toward the assailant, and away from police."
The claim that Pelosi walked "several feet...toward the assailant" appears to be a stark contradiction of multiple claims by federal and state law enforcement of how the incident played out.
An affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Stephanie Minor claimed that, upon the opening of the door, police observed that "Pelosi and [the attacker] were both holding a hammer with one hand and [the attacker] had his other hand holding onto Pelosi's forearm."
Similarly, a felony complaint filed by San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins claims that officers upon opening the door observed the assailant "holding the bottom handle of the hammer with one hand and Mr. Pelosi's right arm with the other."
Neither document mentions Pelosi walking "several feet" back into the house and toward his attacker.
On its website, NBC News said in an appended note that the report "should not have aired because it did not meet NBC News reporting standards."