Alleged Paul Pelosi attacker is an illegal immigrant, 'longtime' visa overstay: report

DePape was born in Canada and has resided within the U.S. for roughly 20 years.

By Ben Whedon

Published: October 31, 2022 4:42pm

Updated: October 31, 2022 4:58pm

David DePape, the man who allegedly broke into the San Francisco home of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacked her husband, Paul, with a hammer, was reportedly in the country illegally.

A source with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told Fox News that DePape was an illegal immigrant and a "longtime" visa overstay, meaning he arrived in the United States by legal means but did not leave after his visa expired and was never repatriated.

DePape was born in Canada and has resided within the U.S. for roughly 20 years.

Authorities announced federal charges against DePape on Monday. He faces charges of assaulting the family member of a public official in retaliation for them performing their duties and a separate charge of attempted kidnapping.

Democrats and media figures quickly moved to pin the blame on former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, though statements from an ex of DePape's indicated that he "has been mentally ill for a long time" and "was very much in alignment with my [left-wing] views."