David Hope

He is the President of the United States. He gives permission to form the SPK after having a discussion with Near. He is threatened by Mello with the Death Note, forced into giving him all the information he has on the SPK, and to keep him updated on what they are doing. He works unsuccessfully with L (Light) to infiltrate Mello's hideout. He's a strong leader, but powerless against the decree of the Death Note. Hoope ends up committing suicide, and it is believed that Kira disposed of him after the special forces' attack failed. In the anime, he does not commit suicide, as the character was merged with that of George Sairas (who is his vice-president). Although he is president of the U.S.A in the manga, in the anime, the president is George Sairas.