- Experts on authoritarianism believe that the attack on Paul Pelosi could signal more violence.
- Ruth Ben-Ghiat (NYU history professor) said that the attack could be a continuation to the January 6 insurrection.
- She said that the attacker who attacked Paul Pelosi was looking to find Nancy Pelosi and likely wanted to complete the job.
The attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband by a man who apparently subscribed to far-right conspiracy theories about everything from the war in Ukraine to the 2020 election is a likely harbinger of more violence against liberals, a leading expert on authoritarianism told Insider.
Paul Pelosi was the 82-year old husband of the Democrat. Attack with a hammerEarly Friday morning, the couple moved into their home. David DePape, the man police identified, has been taken into custody.
Police are still trying to determine the motive. Police have not yet identified a motive. However, the attacker was reported to have said “Where is Nancy?” An Echo of the rioters that broke into the US Capitol. Their web history indicates a partisan motive.
Depape shared videos of right-wing thinkers like Jordan Peterson on social media, as well as his personal blog. He also suggested that Trump’s ex-Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabrielbard be his next running mate.
DePape, a 42 year-old, also shared videos attacking Congress’s investigation into the January 6 rebellion.
Ruth Ben-Ghiat spoke to Insider about an interview she had with her. Expert on Authoritarianism and a history professor at New York University, suggested that Friday’s attack — which has left Mr. Pelosi in the hospital with a fractured skull and other injuries — was a continuation of the violence at the US Capitol last year that aimed to overturn the results of the presidential election.
Ben-Ghiat stated that “We know Nancy Pelosi was Speaker of the House, third in line for Presidential succession,” “The attacker who wounded Paul Pelosi was likely looking for Nancy Pelosi to complete the job.
Ben-Ghiat, who specializes in Italian history — and the rise of fascism there — argued that the attack was a product of a right-wing ecosystem that depicts liberals, leftists, and Democrats as not just misguided by actually evil. Tucker Carlson, Fox News’ personality, stated that the Democratic Party was “a terrorist organization.”Child sacrifice cult,” an attack on the party’s abortion rights stance that mirrors the rhetoric of QAnon conspiracy theorists — and antisemitic tropes — that Democrats literally drink the blood of children.
Ben-Ghiat stated that Republicans and Fox News have always portrayed Democrats as mortal enemies. Political violence occurs when people feel the political opposition is an existential threat. “Look out for more such acts as the GOP continues its embrace of violence and brings extremists like the Oath Keepers or the Proud Boys to the ranks.
Wendy Via is a co-founder and leader of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. This group seeks to reduce political violence that it considers has been generated by demagogues.
Via issued a statement following the attack saying, “The vitriol which dehumanizes and humiliates people along with the rampant lies concerning the 2020 election being stolen are inspiring violence” She claimed that the incident was a sign of things to come.
“Election deniers, conspiracy theorists, and white supremacists — largely inspired and emboldened by Trump and his allies — are ready to take up arms if the midterm elections don’t go their way,” she said, “and are willing to threaten, harass, and commit violence ahead of the elections to intimidate voters who are simply trying to exercise their civil right to vote.”
