Swalwell Draws 'Straight Line' from Pelosi Attack to GOP Leader McCarthy

Representative Eric Swalwell has faulted House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy for failing to curb violent rhetoric from members of his caucus, saying it's created the environment that led to an attack on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband.

The California Democrat made the remarks during a Friday evening appearance on MSNBC's The ReidOut following news that Paul Pelosi, the speaker's husband, was assaulted with a hammer. Members of Congress have reported facing more threats since Donald Trump was elected president. Swalwell said that McCarthy, who could become House speaker after the elections, shares the blame.

San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said during a press conference earlier Friday that they had arrested 42-year-old David Depape on charges related to the alleged assault on Pelosi, who is recovering from his injuries. While police are still investigating the motives behind the assault, the Associated Press (AP) reported that Depape was yelling, "Where is Nancy, where is Nancy?"

Swalwell told host Joy Reid that the attack was "inevitable" but is "still something we can never accept." He also said it was time to draw a "straight line" between the attack and MAGA Republicans, including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert, "who glorify violence," as well as McCarthy. Swalwell said the GOP leader "says nothing about it and does nothing to stop it."

"If that's the environment he's going to create, it's a green light to every assailant out there to use violence rather than voting to carry out your political will," he said.

Newsweek reached out to McCarthy and Boebert for a response. A spokesman for McCarthy told The Hill on Friday that House minority leader had reached out to Nancy Pelosi to check on her husband. The spokesman added that McCarthy is "praying for a full recovery and is thankful they caught the assailant."

Data from Capitol Police shows that the agency responsible for protecting members of Congress has seen cases "concerning statements and threats" increase from 3,939 in 2017 to 9,625 in 2021, according to Reuters.

Greene spokesman Nick Dyer told Newsweek in an email that the GOP representative has been threatened with violence, including death threats. He said Democratic activists have "swatted" Greene's home six times, referring to harassers calling 911 to report hoax crimes to their victim's home.

Additionally, Dyer referred to how a man allegedly killed an 18-year-old North Dakotan over his conservative political beliefs following a September speech by President Joe Biden where he said Trump and his allies were a danger to democracy.

Dyer also brought up Democratic Representative Maxine Waters' 2018 call to harass Trump officials, and a 2021 confrontation between Swalwell and Greene's staff.

Republican Representative Steve Scalise was shot in the hip during a baseball game in 2017 by a supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats. Scalise, who recovered, said Sanders reached out to him immediately after the shooting.

Boebert and Greene have drawn controversy for trafficking in conspiracy theories and making inflammatory remarks since both were elected in 2020. Democratic Representative Haley Stevens earlier this year raised concerns about the "mental health" of Greene to Capitol Police after the Georgia Republican suggested using "Second Amendment rights" against Democrats.

Boebert in 2021 was accused of inciting violence during a floor speech railing against Democratic members of Congress.