MSNBC anchors claimed Friday that Republicans “are scared” to condemn the attack on Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband.
NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent Ryan Nobles said Republicans fear that condemning violence, including the attack on Paul Pelosi, will cost them politically in the midterms and beyond. The speaker’s husband was hospitalized after an assailant, later identified as David DePape, entered the couple’s San Francisco home and attacked him with a hammer.
“Let’s go back for a second to the days after January 6 and the days after, a lot of Republicans said, ‘This is too far even for me.’ I’m thinking of [Republican South Carolina Sen.] Lindsey Graham,” MSNBC host Katy Tur began. “And then Lindsey Graham went to the airport to go back to South Carolina and was mobbed by angry — very angry — Trump supporters. And then Lindsey Graham started tacking back. I wonder in your conversations if you get from any of the Republican lawmakers that they are scared to condemn this because they are scared for themselves.”
“It’s become very clear that there are certain aspects of the Republican Party where you cannot criticize the individuals that support Republican candidates that inhabit these conspiracy theories as it relates to QAnon, the election being stolen, Pizzagate, all these things that have been demonstrably debunked,” Nobles responded. “It is very difficult for a Republican member of Congress to vocally criticize those types of movements within the Republican Party.”
Nobles then named three Republicans who opposed former President Donald Trump — Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger and New York Rep. John Katko — and will soon lose their seats in the House. (RELATED: Without Evidence, Liberals Rush To Blame Republicans For Assault On Paul Pelosi)
“There’s just not a place for members of Congress in the Republican Party to strongly denounce this type of activity because there will be a penalty at the ballot box when election time comes around, particularly in Republican primaries,” he continued.
Several congressional Republicans condemned the attack on Pelosi and political violence in general.
“What happened to Paul Pelosi last night is horrific,” Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted. “Heidi & I are praying for him & Nancy & the entire Pelosi family. May God’s protection be upon them. We can have our political differences, but violence is always wrong & unacceptable.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also denounced the attack.
What happened to Paul Pelosi last night is horrific.
Heidi & I are praying for him & Nancy & the entire Pelosi family. May God’s protection be upon them.
We can have our political differences, but violence is always wrong & unacceptable.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 28, 2022
Horrified and disgusted by the reports that Paul Pelosi was assaulted in his and Speaker Pelosi’s home last night. Grateful to hear that Paul is on track to make a full recovery and that law enforcement including our stellar Capitol Police are on the case.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) October 28, 2022
Becky and I are thankful to hear that Mr. Pelosi is expected to recover from this horrible attack, and we’re praying for his entire family.
Violence is unacceptable.
— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) October 28, 2022
This is reprehensible. We are a civilized society. Political disagreements cannot be sorted out with violence. https://t.co/TsicDVljgt
— Rep. Dan Crenshaw (@RepDanCrenshaw) October 28, 2022
DePape, 42, has been charged with attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse. He reportedly exclaimed, “Where is Nancy, where is Nancy?” when he entered the home.