Paul Pelosi, husband of House speaker, hospitalized after home invasion

Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was “violently assaulted” in a home invasion. According to two people with knowledge of the investigation into the attack who spoke to The Associated Press Friday on the condition of anonymity, Pelosi suffered blunt force trauma to his head and body after he was beaten with a hammer.

“The assailant is in custody and the motivation for the attack is under investigation. Mr. Pelosi was taken to the hospital, where he is receiving excellent medical care and is expected to make a full recovery,” Drew Hammill, a spokesperson for Rep. Pelosi, said in a statement. “The speaker was not in San Francisco at the time. The speaker and her family are grateful to the first responders and medical professionals involved, and request privacy at this time.”

According to the anonymous sources, Paul Pelosi was being treated by doctors for bruising, severe swelling and other injuries following the home invasion.

Often at Nancy Pelosi’s side during formal events in Washington, Paul Pelosi is a wealthy investor who largely remains on the West Coast. Earlier this year, Paul Pelosi pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving under the influence charges related to a May crash in California’s wine country. He was sentenced to five days in jail and three years of probation. He has also faced scrutiny over some of his investment decisions.

The home invasion raises questions about the safety of members of Congress and their families as threats to lawmakers are at an all-time high. The attack happened just 11 days ahead of midterm elections in which crime and public safety have emerged as top concerns among Americans.

Last year, Capitol Police investigated around 9,600 threats made against members of Congress. This follows the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, which themselves followed violent attacks against lawmakers in recent years.

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head at an event outside a Tucson grocery store in 2011. Six years later, Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., was severely injured when a gunman opened fire on a Republican congressional baseball team practice.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.