Political threats on the rise…
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged a former Republican primary opponent of GOP Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna with allegedly “threatening to kill” his opponent from the 2021 election for the 13th Congressional District of Florida.
Authorities stated in 2021 Braddock allegedly made “several threats to injure and kill” Luna and the second victim before later being found in the Philippines.
“On June 8, 2021, Braddock made several threats to injure and kill Victim 1 and Victim 2 during a telephone call with Victim 2. Specifically, Braddock threatened, in part, to “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” and make Victim 1 disappear,” the press release said. “After making the threats, Braddock left the United States and was later found to be residing in the Philippines. Braddock was recently deported from the Philippines to the United States and made his first court appearance yesterday [Thursday] in Los Angeles.”
The charges reportedly originate from Florida’s 13th Congressional District of Florida primary race in 2021 after former Democratic Florida Rep. Charlie Crist announced he would no longer seek reelection for his seat, according to Politico. Conservative activist, Erin Olszewski, had recorded a call with Braddock, who, at the time, told her not to support Luna due to his access to assassins, the outlet reported.
“I really don’t want to have to end anybody’s life for the good of the people of the United States of America,” Braddock told Olszewski during the call, according to Politico. “That will break my heart. But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Luna is a fucking speed bump in the road. She’s a dead squirrel you run over every day when you leave the neighborhood.”
A temporary restraining order from a Florida judge was then granted to Luna and Olszewski, which prompted Braddock to terminate his 2021 campaign shortly after, according to NBC News.
Braddock has been officially charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person, potentially facing a maximum penalty of five years in prison, according to the DOJ
A spokesperson for Luna’s office told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the lawmaker “cannot comment on the indictment,” however, emphasized the “growing number of death threats.”
“In the past month alone, Congresswoman Luna has faced a growing number of death threats. Female members of Congress are disproportionately targeted for stalking, violence, and harassment compared to their male counterparts. This alarming trend points to a broader and more disturbing issue of violence in the political arena,” Luna’s spox said.
“Violence must never be tolerated. Congresswoman Luna is committed to spreading this message to her constituents and America,” Luna’s spox added. “She will continue to advocate for and educate on ending the violence and abuse that so many women face, whether emotional or physical.”
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