Anna Paulina Luna calls Capitol Police, alleges assault by CODEPINK activist who touched her arm

U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna on Thursday reported an activist for the left-wing CODEPINK for assault.

Video published by CODEPINK on its X page appears to show co-founder Medea Benjamin following Luna after a meeting of the House West Hemisphere Subcommittee, The two are walking and talking for a period when Benjamin touches Luna on the arm.

“Wait, you just touched me,” Luna says. “You are going to walk away right now and I am going to call Capitol Police.”

At the House meeting, Luna asserted CODEPINK and other groups were being bankrolled by foreign hostile interests. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the event noted CODEPINK activists recently went to Cuba on a trip covered by the government there.

Luna later confirmed she gave a statement to law enforcement about the interaction with Benjamin.

“After I questioned Secretary Rubio on Code Pink and their ties to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party), their organization followed me out, berated me, and then their head person here in DC smacked me,” Luna posted. “I will be filing charges.”

CODEPINK in a statement published with the video pushed back on that characterization of the interaction.

“Nobody hit her,” reads a post on X. “Instead of answering for the war crimes she supports, this AIPAC-funded congresswoman continues to lie about activists.”

Luna responded to that post saying there is a double standard being applied by the group.

“Bottom line is if I ever put my hand on a Code Pink activist your org would be flipping out,” she said. “You crossed a personal boundary that should NEVER be crossed. Point blank period. Instead of diverting attention from the real issue take responsibility and own it.”

The interaction happened the same day a war powers resolution passed in the House calling for a wind down of military operations in Iran, a resolution CODEPINK supported. Luna and most House Republicans voted against the measure.

Luna stressed her concern wasn’t with protests at the Capitol, but about crossing a line to physically hitting someone.

“The head honcho of Code Pink here on Capitol Hill decided to try to harass me as I was leaving my hearing with Rubio and smacked my arm,” she said. “I have no issues answering questions but the moment you touch me you cross a line.”