![Reagan was hit by one of six shots fired by John Hinckley (not pictured). AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7Z4M64TE7EXKVUVZCQA4LZKWIA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b64919928cbe71adaf8aa21012748d8de8d6662a9490f62b90c7a31f102d463&width=400&height=225)
![Paul Pelosi, the husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was violently assaulted by a hammer-wielding attacker in the couple's San Francisco home. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HLIAMQQ4CULCIGZ7DSJUSHUZTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff1a364e36c04cd7305ed47fc3c3966e486966c3c7b054df838aad3ae4e3e87a&width=400&height=225)
![San Francisco police officers and FBI agents gather in front of the Pelosi home after the attack. Getty Images / AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VZSHCGD62H3AXR2ZUVQANMHQRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c5799952ce9857b8c93ec163b739d0e1035a0d836f7b0d83d2b8af4a78b9719&width=400&height=225)
![Suspected attacker David Depape in 2013. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZGXUY66OUKM6B2JUABBVDMD34E.jpg?smart=true&auth=7df0448fa1eac9511848dbc63eaa06c56eaa2f0984b05cdc7403ecc66a684ec2&width=400&height=225)
![The Associated Press reported that the assailant had been searching for Ms Pelosi when he entered her residence, shouting: 'Where is Nancy, where is Nancy?' Getty Images / AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IUCE4ADBI2TRBLL2WDWCPTK47Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=aedb49432ff7bcebd6f1d594e063e871e28c882ba7cfef542b1b4a87122313d4&width=400&height=225)
![A police officer rolls out yellow tape near the Pelosi residence. The attack on Mr Pelosi comes before the US midterms and is the latest violence against a political figure. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VHJIYDZJVDMFRBMA3TRMYAMATQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=68ab36a2ad8600d060ff1fe83a38033c44e932d01380932a176cd55c320279da&width=400&height=225)
![Police tape is seen in front of the Pelosi home. Getty Images / AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/36Z6NPO57DVEUE3LHGYNPPTJQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f642af8f2bf3d25a0233cbb14d53af863331180bc07053fbd7a46a54f149c0a6&width=400&height=225)
![A screengrab taken from video shows damage to the Pelosi home. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BTOONBFMPS5OIYV6SSGHEGUTPQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1bb475159e1d49ac23901a66b0e6c63852344d5312a87692f1c29b1068190eb3&width=400&height=225)
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![In July, she faulted the police response after she was harassed by a right-wing agitator who recorded a video of himself making vulgar comments about her as she entered the US Capitol. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IKRZYEKI22BTEK3KASG2FMDMXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f01f70d677d5dc145d961cc1f9a78e51bcc41d79009950176996ced33674d323&width=400&height=225)
![Steve Scalise, a congressman, was shot at a baseball practice in 2017. Getty Images / AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BXZA5YYZRRAMP5UEBIL55JF6FI.jpg?smart=true&auth=81781727b88eab798ec6fb9cd74c33a965a185e79547ffcccec440e140700669&width=400&height=225)
![A man was arrested outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and charged with attempted murder in June. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YZSMAEJN4ARX2OAPFQ27PBKPJI.jpg?smart=true&auth=85bc674dfda8a4fc5231290b1c32d3a715dd1567e4c9d5856e1195ea449a9292&width=400&height=225)
![Police outside Mr Kavanaugh's home after the Supreme Court ended the federal right to abortion. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5Y6LOHM2OZ2DFW6UAKRR4EUFPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9e1f6b66b64f866ed87a7805695a2097e9e8d7cf3d7ef3b207ed97932ff9fc46&width=400&height=225)
![Police guard Mr Kavanaugh's home in Maryland. Getty Images / AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4TSVAMZWDHZKZCBPXQNJLAEAMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b32f11566c565cbe8b7aa9fa6496cf13daec980a02c751abc9931930e5605ced&width=400&height=225)
![Nancy and Paul Pelosi arrive for the Time 100 Gala at Lincoln Centre in New York. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JTLEIA4FJUDUNGSCT67QMEPJYY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2594fcade0c67bfe221fcbceadeff47cc30552bc6cb02fa4a66a73d2d4f238f7&width=400&height=225)
![The Pelosis in 2019. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LUCKFRQRVHBTYM2HB2B35F3LZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5cf5970b13d66d5ff7bf3b613a170518c333c077b4f9269873bc9d50a1c43791&width=400&height=225)
![Pope Francis meets the Pelosis at the Vatican in June 2022. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X524ZQ347OHVNYIPKJM5TNSLYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=444df9fa811383ade865df529178f8c9c8e9ac30da2ae59875ad0b7d38b84aa7&width=400&height=225)
![America has long grappled with political violence. President John F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CPV5PYQDKRXIXT5LVQG4M6P7F4.jpg?smart=true&auth=efea52bb7c22d4226e25f58c31097d92ce58bafb973aea8bcb689f052e39de59&width=400&height=225)
![Robert F Kennedy, JFK's brother, was assassinated in Los Angeles in 1968. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KSUO4LIWJZV2QPZQ2NS2LP7FMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=821a089eb9e8c23e780ac2c3aad0b79c5c3aa970bf0bf53da862806af4db6c46&width=400&height=225)
![Police and Secret Service agents react during the assassination attempt on then US president Ronald Reagan in 1981. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VGQ6DJICKDNTHGXDLXAB224ISI.jpg?smart=true&auth=826c80712c2f27fdfa2cc361677b539a86f23d6d6e62a2a35e59897f710f0365&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Reagan is shoved into the president's limousine after being shot outside a Washington hotel. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XQL62AWFSRNROE7AE5HF2JVUSE.jpg?smart=true&auth=1939b728339fcda924dd417c8189d179536943e89382c0b0450fa3f371a33488&width=400&height=225)
![Reagan was hit by one of six shots fired by John Hinckley (not pictured). AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7Z4M64TE7EXKVUVZCQA4LZKWIA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b64919928cbe71adaf8aa21012748d8de8d6662a9490f62b90c7a31f102d463&width=400&height=225)
![Paul Pelosi, the husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was violently assaulted by a hammer-wielding attacker in the couple's San Francisco home. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HLIAMQQ4CULCIGZ7DSJUSHUZTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff1a364e36c04cd7305ed47fc3c3966e486966c3c7b054df838aad3ae4e3e87a&width=400&height=225)
![San Francisco police officers and FBI agents gather in front of the Pelosi home after the attack. Getty Images / AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VZSHCGD62H3AXR2ZUVQANMHQRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c5799952ce9857b8c93ec163b739d0e1035a0d836f7b0d83d2b8af4a78b9719&width=400&height=225)
![Suspected attacker David Depape in 2013. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZGXUY66OUKM6B2JUABBVDMD34E.jpg?smart=true&auth=7df0448fa1eac9511848dbc63eaa06c56eaa2f0984b05cdc7403ecc66a684ec2&width=400&height=225)
![The Associated Press reported that the assailant had been searching for Ms Pelosi when he entered her residence, shouting: 'Where is Nancy, where is Nancy?' Getty Images / AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IUCE4ADBI2TRBLL2WDWCPTK47Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=aedb49432ff7bcebd6f1d594e063e871e28c882ba7cfef542b1b4a87122313d4&width=400&height=225)
![A police officer rolls out yellow tape near the Pelosi residence. The attack on Mr Pelosi comes before the US midterms and is the latest violence against a political figure. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VHJIYDZJVDMFRBMA3TRMYAMATQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=68ab36a2ad8600d060ff1fe83a38033c44e932d01380932a176cd55c320279da&width=400&height=225)
![Police tape is seen in front of the Pelosi home. Getty Images / AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/36Z6NPO57DVEUE3LHGYNPPTJQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f642af8f2bf3d25a0233cbb14d53af863331180bc07053fbd7a46a54f149c0a6&width=400&height=225)
![A screengrab taken from video shows damage to the Pelosi home. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BTOONBFMPS5OIYV6SSGHEGUTPQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1bb475159e1d49ac23901a66b0e6c63852344d5312a87692f1c29b1068190eb3&width=400&height=225)
![Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has previously said she uses campaign funds to pay for additional security due to concerns for her safety. Getty Images / AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PATOAF4EFVYGC3IWJ5CMGYQNMQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=164e3782f22a8448ef4da4b368d0efd4c380519d9e7a3b1407452a9866937d60&width=400&height=225)
![In July, she faulted the police response after she was harassed by a right-wing agitator who recorded a video of himself making vulgar comments about her as she entered the US Capitol. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IKRZYEKI22BTEK3KASG2FMDMXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f01f70d677d5dc145d961cc1f9a78e51bcc41d79009950176996ced33674d323&width=400&height=225)
![Steve Scalise, a congressman, was shot at a baseball practice in 2017. Getty Images / AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BXZA5YYZRRAMP5UEBIL55JF6FI.jpg?smart=true&auth=81781727b88eab798ec6fb9cd74c33a965a185e79547ffcccec440e140700669&width=400&height=225)
![A man was arrested outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and charged with attempted murder in June. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YZSMAEJN4ARX2OAPFQ27PBKPJI.jpg?smart=true&auth=85bc674dfda8a4fc5231290b1c32d3a715dd1567e4c9d5856e1195ea449a9292&width=400&height=225)
![Police outside Mr Kavanaugh's home after the Supreme Court ended the federal right to abortion. Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5Y6LOHM2OZ2DFW6UAKRR4EUFPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9e1f6b66b64f866ed87a7805695a2097e9e8d7cf3d7ef3b207ed97932ff9fc46&width=400&height=225)
![Police guard Mr Kavanaugh's home in Maryland. Getty Images / AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4TSVAMZWDHZKZCBPXQNJLAEAMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b32f11566c565cbe8b7aa9fa6496cf13daec980a02c751abc9931930e5605ced&width=400&height=225)
![Nancy and Paul Pelosi arrive for the Time 100 Gala at Lincoln Centre in New York. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JTLEIA4FJUDUNGSCT67QMEPJYY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2594fcade0c67bfe221fcbceadeff47cc30552bc6cb02fa4a66a73d2d4f238f7&width=400&height=225)
![The Pelosis in 2019. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LUCKFRQRVHBTYM2HB2B35F3LZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5cf5970b13d66d5ff7bf3b613a170518c333c077b4f9269873bc9d50a1c43791&width=400&height=225)
![Pope Francis meets the Pelosis at the Vatican in June 2022. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X524ZQ347OHVNYIPKJM5TNSLYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=444df9fa811383ade865df529178f8c9c8e9ac30da2ae59875ad0b7d38b84aa7&width=400&height=225)
![America has long grappled with political violence. President John F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CPV5PYQDKRXIXT5LVQG4M6P7F4.jpg?smart=true&auth=efea52bb7c22d4226e25f58c31097d92ce58bafb973aea8bcb689f052e39de59&width=400&height=225)
![Robert F Kennedy, JFK's brother, was assassinated in Los Angeles in 1968. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KSUO4LIWJZV2QPZQ2NS2LP7FMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=821a089eb9e8c23e780ac2c3aad0b79c5c3aa970bf0bf53da862806af4db6c46&width=400&height=225)
![Police and Secret Service agents react during the assassination attempt on then US president Ronald Reagan in 1981. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VGQ6DJICKDNTHGXDLXAB224ISI.jpg?smart=true&auth=826c80712c2f27fdfa2cc361677b539a86f23d6d6e62a2a35e59897f710f0365&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Reagan is shoved into the president's limousine after being shot outside a Washington hotel. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XQL62AWFSRNROE7AE5HF2JVUSE.jpg?smart=true&auth=1939b728339fcda924dd417c8189d179536943e89382c0b0450fa3f371a33488&width=400&height=225)
![Reagan was hit by one of six shots fired by John Hinckley (not pictured). AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7Z4M64TE7EXKVUVZCQA4LZKWIA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b64919928cbe71adaf8aa21012748d8de8d6662a9490f62b90c7a31f102d463&width=400&height=225)
The assault on Paul Pelosi is only a part of the mayhem ahead of the US midterms
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Hussein Ibish is a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute and a US affairs columnist for The National
October 31, 2022