Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, made his first public appearance on Sunday at the Kennedy Center Honors after being brutally attacked in late October.President Joe Biden made a fist pump to Paul Pelosi, who was seated nearby, as he was walking to his seat with first lady Jill Biden. Paul Pelosi was wearing a black hat as he recovers from injuries to his head.He was attacked with a hammer at the couple's home in San Francisco by a male assailant, who was searching for the speaker of the House, according to court documents. Following the attack, Paul Pelosi had surgery "to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands," Drew Hammill, a spokesman for Nancy Pelosi, said in a statement at the time.Earlier Sunday, Biden congratulated the class of the 45th Kennedy Center Honors, welcoming them to the White House ahead of the star-studded event celebrating the American arts."Tonight, we celebrate a truly exceptional, and this is not exaggeration, a truly exceptional group of artists — group of artists who embody the very spirit of 'we the people.' This year's Kennedy Center honorees — they're all an incredible group of people," Biden said.The president ticked through all the honorees, their accomplishments and contributions to the arts. Those being honored included George Clooney, Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, Tania León and all four members of the Irish rock band U2.The honorees, selected for their contributions to American culture by the Kennedy Center's Executive Committee of its Board of Trustees, were saluted at the Kennedy Center Opera House in front of their peers. The event will be broadcast Dec. 28.The Bidens' attendance marks the second year that the first family continues the longstanding tradition that was interrupted during the Trump administration.In 2017, then-President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump declined to attend the Kennedy Center Honors after two of the honorees that year — television writer and producer Norman Lear and dancer Carmen de Lavallade — said they would skip the Trump-hosted reception at the White House, citing political beliefs.At the time, the White House said Trump's decision would allow the artists "to celebrate without any political distraction."Addressing the honorees Sunday, Biden wrapped his remarks with a message about unity."In the midst of the great division, that was President Lincoln's plea. That we would do well to remember today at a moment when there's too much hate, too much anger, too much division here in America and quite frankly around the world. We have to remember today as their song goes — we are one, but we are not the same. We get to carry each other," Biden said, slightly misquoting the U2 lyrics, which go: "One life, but we're not the same."Some of the notable attendees at the White House included Sacha Baron Cohen, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Sean Penn, Julia Roberts, Amal Clooney, Matt Damon and former Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police officer Michael Fanone, who was at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Also in attendance were Vice President Kamala Harris, second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

SAN FRANCISCO —

The man accused of attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband entered a second not guilty plea to state charges Wednesday and waived his right to a speedy trial.

David DePape -- who is charged with a litany of crimes, including assault and attempted murder -- made the plea in San Francisco superior court.

Appearing before Judge Teresa Caffese, DePape said only a single word in court, answering "yes," when asked if he was waiving his right to a speedy trial. He is scheduled to return to San Francisco superior court in February when a trial date is expected to be set.

A second arraignment for felony charges is customary in California following a preliminary hearing in which a defendant is held to answer to all charges. DePape had pleaded not guilty during an initial appearance in early November shortly after his arrest.

DePape, who has also pleaded not guilty to a list of federal charges, had broken into the Pelosis' home in October and attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer, according to court documents.

He told federal investigators that he was looking for Nancy Pelosi, and he said that he planned to kidnap the House speaker and break "her kneecaps" if she lied, according to the affidavit. CNN has previously reported DePape shouted, "Where's Nancy?" as he entered the home.

DePape told officers and medics at the scene that he was sick of the "level of lies" coming from Washington, DC, and "came here to have a little chat with his wife," according to a court filing. "I didn't really want to hurt him, but you know this was a suicide mission. I'm not going to stand here and do nothing even if it cost me my life."

Following the attack, Paul Pelosi had surgery "to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands," Drew Hammill, a spokesman for the speaker, said in a statement at the time.

DePape had also planned to target President Joe Biden's son Hunter, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and actor Tom Hanks, a San Francisco Police Department official testified this month.

DePape "will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and held accountable for his heinous crimes," San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a statement following the arraignment Wednesday.

Public defender Adam Lipson declined to comment after Wednesday's quick procedural hearing. One of the Pelosis' daughters, Christine Pelosi, was in attendance at the hearing.