New Delhi: Paul Pelosi, the husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was "violently assaulted" after a break-in at the couple's residence in California early on Friday, news agency Reuters reported.
"The assailant is in custody and the motivation for the attack is under investigation," a statement released by her office said.
"Mr. Pelosi was taken to the hospital, where he is receiving excellent medical care and is expected to make a full recovery. The Speaker was not in San Francisco at the time," the statement added.
It is to be noted that although the circumstances of the attack are yet to be ascertained, the incident raises additional questions about the safety of members of the Congress and their families. As per reports, threats to lawmakers are at an all-time high almost two years after the violent Capitol insurrection.
According to a report by news agency AP, Pelosi just returned to Washington this week after attending a security conference in Europe, and is set to address an advocacy event on Saturday evening with Vice President Kamala Harris.
In the light of rising threats and security issues, the members of Congress have received additional dollars to step up security at their homes, but some have pushed for more protection as people have showed up at their homes and as members have received an increasing amount of threatening communications.
Notably, 82-year-old Paul Pelosi is a wealthy investor who mostly remains on the West Coast. They have five adult children and several grandchildren.
As per AP, earlier this year, Paul Pelosi pleaded guilty to ‘misdemeanour’ driving under the influence charges related to a May crash in California’s wine country and was sentenced to five days in jail and three years of probation.
(With inputs froms agencies)