Nancy Pelosi is the first former Speaker of the House to be awarded a full-time security detail for a year, a move that came after her husband Paul Pelosi was attacked and punched by a man who aimed at her.
Buried in the 4,155-page summary bill the government funded this year is the provision that covers its protection details for the next 12 months. Previous speakers lost their federal security shortly after resigning from office.
Legislation requires U.S. Capitol Police to conduct a threat assessment for former speakers, “and if warranted, each such former speaker shall receive a protection detail for a period of not more than one year beginning on the date on which he leaves office of the United States Capitol Police.’
Pelosi, who has been honored with the title of spokeswoman emerita, was spotted Wednesday with three security officers in suits and earphones pursuing her through the Capitol.
“Shall we,” she told them as she left the house after the votes. She walked to the elevator with the three men around her.
Nancy Pelosi is the first former Speaker of the House to be granted a year-long security detail – follow her above her security detail into the Capitol
One of the most famous women in the county, Pelosi, 82, is an incredibly divisive figure who inspires intense love or pure hatred.
The United States Capitol Police declined to discuss the specifics of their protection.
“Due to security concerns, the USCP is not discussing possible/potential security measures for members of Congress,” the U.S. Capitol Police told in a statement.
Pelosi’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
After the year is up, USCP must conduct another threat assessment to determine if protection should be further expanded.
In 2021, Pelosi was the subject of 632 threatening cases opened by the USCP. At least 24 of those threats have been submitted to the Justice Department for possible prosecution. She was attacked by the MAGA crowd that stormed the Capitol on January 6. Her office was broken into and vandalized.
Threats against lawmakers have risen in recent years and increased after the January 6 riot. In 2022, the USCP investigated 7,501 threats against members of Congress, according to new figures released in January.
Pelosi, like all House Speakers, had an extensive security detail when she held the top position in the House of Representatives, which also put her in the line of succession for the presidency.
San Francisco Police Department body camera image shows suspect David DePape with Paul Pelosi at the Pelosi home in San Francisco
Nancy Pelosi is one of America’s most famous women and a long-time political target — notably Richard Barnett, a Trump supporter, was one of the people who broke into her office in the Capitol during the January 6 riot
Broken glass in Pelosi’s office in the Capitol after the January 6 riot – her office was destroyed by the rioters
David DePape attacked Paul Pelosi with a gavel, saying he was looking for the speaker
But her security shield was called into question after David DePape broke into her San Francisco home, where he attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer. He said he was actually looking for the speaker.
Pelosi was in Washington DC at the time, and the USCP later said the surveillance cameras around her home weren’t being monitored around the clock as a result.
Footage released by Capitol Police surveillance cameras showed DePape lurking outside the Pelosis’ San Francisco home for about four minutes.
The video shows DePape walking to a glass door, exiting, and then returning with a large backpack and two other bags.
He put down all objects and took out a hammer, pausing to put on gloves and used it to smash the glass door so he could step through an opening. DePape later spoke to detectives and said he injured his hand breaking the glass.
Paul Pelosi was able to call 911. Footage released by San Francisco police officers’ body cameras showed that he was violently assaulted by DePape during the Oct. 28 burglary.
The video shows two police officers arriving at the Pelosis’ home, knocking on the door and waiting about 20 seconds for it to open.
Paul, in a pajama top and boxer shorts, opens the door as he and DePape both vie for control of a hammer.
He tries to twist the hammer out of DePape’s hand, but the suspect regains control of the gun and begins punching multiple times. The San Francisco police rush in to stop DePape.
Paul Pelosi required brain surgery after being attacked. He has returned to the Speaker’s side and attends the official unveiling of her portrait at the Capitol and other events.
David DePape called a local TV station to say he was “sorry I didn’t get more from them” and should have been “better prepared” when he attacked Paul Pelosi on October 28
A screenshot from Capitol Police security footage shows David DePape outside the Pelosi home
Paul Pelosi is appearing again at events with Nancy Pelosi – above he is with her at the Capitol in January
DePape, 42, has expressed no regrets.
Last week, he called KTVU TV to let viewers know he had an “important message for everyone in America,” and went on to tell the audience, “You’re welcome [for the Pelosi attack].’
“I want to apologize to everyone. I messed up. What I did was really bad. I’m so sorry I didn’t get more of this. It’s my own fault. Nobody else is to blame. I should have come better prepared,” he continued.
Nancy Pelosi has said she will not watch the footage.
“I mean it would be very hard to see my husband’s life attacked,” she said.