The violent attack against Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) husband, Paul Pelosi, in their San Francisco residence has sparked new calls for increased security to be provided to prominent politicians and their families.
Pelosi underwent surgery for a skull fracture and bodily injuries on Friday after a man assaulted him with a hammer, confronting him while yelling, “Where is Nancy?” Capitol Police data show the department tracked 9,600 threats in 2021, with the numbers indicating a sharp increase over the course of the past five years.
Members on both sides of the aisle have voiced concerns over the risks presented by political violence, with some arguing that the $10,000 allotted to members to cover the costs of security equipment for their homes does not go far enough to provide the protections necessary amid the uptick in threats.
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“Somebody is going to die,” Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) told Axios.
In recent months, a person attempted to stab Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), who is running for governor, onstage during a campaign event, a man pleaded guilty to making death threats against Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) on Friday, and members of the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot on the Capitol have been provided with security details over safety concerns.
Top members of leadership are provided a security detail (with lawmakers over the years having noted that the 2017 congressional baseball shooting could have resulted in more fatalities if House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), who incurred life-threatening injuries, was not present), but they are not present at the members’ homes while they are not in their districts, leaving their families at risk. And the majority of members are not provided the increased level of protection unless Capitol Police has determined there is a credible threat.
“We have an antiquated security system focused on providing protection to those who receive threats, but the real concern is about those who act without warning. This political environment makes this not just likely but guaranteed,” Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) told Axios.
While concerns over safety have intensified, some Republicans argue that more needs to be done to address violent crime as a whole, not just for members of Congress.
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“The attack on Paul Pelosi is unacceptable. With surging crime rates across the nation, it’s not just members of Congress who face this kind of violence,” Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) told the Washington Examiner.
“The single best thing we can do in response to this attack would be to send a clear, unambiguous message that criminals cannot get away with this type of behavior — ever. Rather than focusing on security for one portion of the American public, we should ensure all Americans are safe.”
