Prosecutors are pushing for a 40-year prison term for the assailant who targeted Pelosi, asserting the commission of a "federal crime of terrorism."

Federal prosecutors are urging a 40-year prison term for the individual found guilty of assaulting the spouse of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) with a hammer. They contend that his actions constitute terrorism and thus warrant a harsher punishment than standard sentencing guidelines dictate.

In a sentencing memorandum submitted to the U.S. District Court in San Francisco on May 10, it is noted that David DePape has exhibited no remorse and, therefore, should receive no leniency for the two offenses he was convicted of last year—attempted kidnapping and assault on a federal official engaged in official duties. While these charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 and 30 years in prison, respectively, prosecutors argue that DePape's sentencing should include a terrorism enhancement. They assert that his crimes were strategically intended to intimidate or retaliate against a government official, thus qualifying as a "federal crime of terrorism."AD3