NBC is conducting an investigation into its “Today” show correspondent’s now-retracted story about the attack on Paul Pelosi, while the journalist is being suspended. It was reported by journalist Miguel Almaguer that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband didn’t let on that he was in danger when cops showed up at his San Francisco home right before he was assaulted with a hammer.
The Daily Beast’s Confider newsletter reported that the correspondent has been suspended for the erroneous story, later reported by NY Post. The clip, which has been already deleted, says that the 82-year-old Paul Pelosi answered the door for cops who responded to a 911 call, but that they were “seemingly unaware they had been called to the home of the speaker of the House.”
Sources told NBC that walked several feet back into the foyer toward David DePape, who had broken into the home and was carrying a hammer, instead of just “declaring an emergency” or trying to leave. It was not clear what Pelosi’s mental state was or if he had already been hurt, the NBC report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Pelosi “nervously but calmly greeted” officers in a dimly lit foyer where both men stood, the report said, which contradicted court documents filed in DePape’s case. But not so much later, it was later taken down with the explanation: “The piece should not have aired because it did not meet NBC News reporting standards.”
The report and its retraction were taken by right-wing media outlets, as proof of a politically motivated cover-up in the attack, which left Pelosi with a cracked skull. When questioned about Almaguer, NBC News rep Stephen Labaton told Confider that they do not comment on personnel matters.
Almaguer also did not respond to a request for comment by the outlet. Looking for the House speaker Nancy Pelosi, DePape had smashed his way into the home through a rear door, but the House speaker was in Washington, DC at the time of the attack.
The attacker later told prosecutors that he was on a “suicide mission” and planned to take Nancy Pelosi hostage and break her kneecaps if she lied to him. For the alleged attack, DePape is facing federal and state charges.