William Braddock, a former Republican congressional candidate, faces criminal charges after allegedly threatening Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) during her 2021 campaign. According to reports, Braddock made the threats on a call recorded by a conservative activist. During the conversation, Braddock spoke about using a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to kill Luna, calling her a “dead squirrel” and a “speed bump in the road.”
Braddock later denied making any threats, claiming the audio had been altered. Despite his denial, a judge issued a restraining order against him. After the threats were made public, Braddock left the US for the Philippines, where he remained until his recent extradition back to the US.
In a statement, the Justice Department confirmed that Braddock has been charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat. He appeared in federal court last week to face these charges.
The disturbing threats come amid a series of security concerns surrounding Rep. Luna. The congresswoman, who took office in January 2023, recently revealed that her office had received another serious shooting threat. Luna was vague about the specifics of the threat, stating that an investigation is currently underway.
The charges against Braddock highlight the ongoing danger some public officials face. Luna’s office has stressed the need for greater security, especially given the violent rhetoric that continues to target elected officials. As this case develops, many will be watching to see what further actions are taken to protect those in public office.
