Anna Paulina Luna

William Braddock, a former primary opponent of Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), has been charged by the Justice Department with threatening to kill Luna by dispatching a 'Russian-Ukrainian hit squad.' The threats were allegedly made during a recorded phone call on June 8, 2021, where Braddock referred to Luna with derogatory terms and expressed a willingness to resort to violence for political gain. After fleeing to the Philippines, he was recently deported back to the U.S. and made his first court appearance in Los Angeles. Braddock faces one count of interstate transmission of a true threat, which could result in a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Luna, who won the 2022 election after these events, has reported an increase in threats against her, highlighting the broader issue of violence faced by female politicians. The case is part of the DOJ's efforts to address threats against election participants.