US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband has been violently assaulted after a break-in at their San Francisco home.

Paul Pelosi, 82, suffered blunt force injuries during the attack, according to the Associated Press.

Mrs Pelosi’s spokesperson Drew Hammill said: “Early this morning, an assailant broke into the Pelosi residence in San Francisco and violently assaulted Mr Pelosi.

“The assailant is in custody and the motivation for the attack is under investigation.

“Mr Pelosi was taken to the hospital, where he is receiving excellent medical care and is expected to make a full recovery.”

It is not yet clear how the intruder entered the family’s home.

The motive behind the attack is also still being investigated, although it is thought that the home was targeted.

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Mrs Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the US House of Representatives, and second-in-line to the presidency, was in Washington DC at the time, having recently returned from a security summit in Europe.

“The speaker and her family are grateful to the first responders and medical professionals involved, and request privacy at this time,” Mr Hammill added.

It comes as concerns grow about the safety of members of Congress and their families, with threats to politicians at an all-time high.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement: “What happened to Paul Pelosi was a dastardly act.

“I spoke with Speaker Pelosi earlier this morning and conveyed my deepest concern and heartfelt wishes to her husband and their family, and I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Mr Pelosi, who is often at his wife’s side during formal events in Washington DC, was convicted of drink driving following his involvement in a crash in May.

He was sentenced to five days in jail in Napa County, California, but was allowed to serve just one night.

Mr Pelosi owns a San Francisco-based real estate and venture capital firm.