GOP Rep. Taking Action Over Thrown Drink

Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz says he'll press charges against the woman who allegedly threw a drink at him earlier this month as he was leaving a town hall event in Pensacola, Fla. Gaetz told Fox News on Wednesday that such actions are "why you really see the right really winning elections and winning the culture war," per Mediaite. He said he feared repeat and escalating incidents if there are no consequences for such actions, per the Hill. "What if it's a member of my staff? What if instead of a drink it's acid or urine?"

In a tweet Thursday, Gaetz added, "It's really important to send a message that we as conservatives have a right to our views—just like anybody else." Video of the incident shows a drink—red fruit juice, per the Guardian—hitting Gaetz on the arm as he's flanked by protesters. Police arrested 25-year-old Amanda Kondrat'yev, a Democrat who unsuccessfully ran for Gaetz's seat in 2016. "Matt Gaetz thinks cups are deadly weapons but guns are cool for school," reads her Twitter bio, which links to a defense fund for her. (More Matt Gaetz stories.)