Glenn Youngkin Blasted for Gibe About Nancy and Paul Pelosi After Attack

Outrage has erupted over Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin's seemingly taunting remark after a horrific assault on the husband of Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Paul Pelosi, 82, was violently attacked by a home intruder at the couple's San Francisco home early Friday morning. The suspect, 42-year-old David Depape, reportedly shouted, "Where's Nancy?" before striking Pelosi with a hammer. Nancy Pelosi was in Washington, D.C., at the time.

During a GOP campaign event in Virginia later on Friday, Youngkin spoke about voters having "had enough" of President Joe Biden and other Democrats before bringing up the attack.

He said that there was "no room for violence" before apparently making light of the attack by saying Republicans would send the House speaker "back to be with [Paul Pelosi] in California."

While many reacted by suggesting that Youngkin had acted distastefully on the heels of political violence, a Youngkin spokeswoman focused on the governor's preamble in a statement obtained by Newsweek.

"As the governor clearly said, the assault on Paul Pelosi was wrong and there is no place for violence," the spokeswoman said. "He wishes him a full recovery and is keeping the Pelosi family in his prayers."

Most of those who reacted negatively to Youngkin's remark on social media instead focused on the governor's seemingly flippant comment on Nancy Pelosi.

"This is funny to you?" California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted. "Pathetic."

"This is a disgusting, vile, and crass comment by Governor Youngkin," tweeted Representative Donald McEachin, a Democrat from Virginia. "While Paul Pelosi is currently undergoing brain surgery, Glenn Youngkin takes it as an opportunity for political jabs. This reprehensible behavior is beneath the dignity of his office."

"During legislative session, I said Governor Youngkin's espoused Christian values didn't match his actions," Virginia state House Democratic leader Don Scott tweeted. "Today, he proved me right by failing to express his empathy and humanity to Nancy Pelosi. He chose to ridicule her pain and the beating of an 82 year old man. Shameful."

"So Christian Youngkin thinks it is okay to make a remark about sending Speaker Pelosi home to California in the context of her husband being violently attacked?" tweeted Mamie Locke, a Democratic Virginia state senator. "Not okay, not political satire or fodder for your ridiculous speech."

Bob Duff, Democratic majority leader of the Connecticut state Senate, sarcastically tweeted that Youngkin was a representative of "the 'moderate' wing of the Republican Party."

"This is simply despicable by Glenn Youngkin," conservative political scientist Norman Ornstein tweeted. "Don't be fooled by the fleece. He is full on MAGA."

"Here is the video of @GovernorVA Glenn Youngkin mocking the attack on Paul Pelosi and attempted assassination of the Speaker of the House," tweeted commentator and former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann, alongside a video of the governor's comments. "He must resign. Enough of this Trumpist-fascist orgy of violence and its stochastic backers like Youngkin."

"Youngkin is vile and given his more 'polished' exterior is especially dangerous. But for now, let's just focus on the fact that he is vile...and that he in this case, by minimizing violence, is excusing and encouraging it," political analyst David Rothkopf tweeted.

"The Republican party loves to jump head first into the cesspool," tweeted Diego Rodriguez, a former Democratic member of the Arizona state House. "Joking about an assassination attempt and attempted murder of a Pelosi family member is a reflection [of] Youngkin's trash value set."

"Besides being tasteless, Youngkin's line is just stupid," tweeted Kevin Kruse, a professor of history at Princeton University. "Pelosi is in a deep blue seat, where she got 75% of the vote last time. The GOP might well take the majority and the speaker's gavel away from her, but it isn't going to defeat her and "send her back" to California."

Drew Hammill, spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi, said in a statement that the House speaker's husband "underwent successful surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands" following the attack. He remains hospitalized but doctors "expect a full recovery."

"The Speaker and her family are thankful for the outpouring of support and prayers from friends, constituents and people around the country," Hammill added. "The Pelosi family is immensely grateful to Mr. Pelosi's entire medical team and the law enforcement officers who responded to the assault."

San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said during a press conference on Friday that Depape was in custody and would be charged with attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, burglary and "several other additional felonies."