A Florida GOP strategist and former intern for Sen. Marco Rubio has been arrested and charged with taking part in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the Miami New Times reported.
Barbara "Barby" Balmaseda, 23, was charged with obstructing an official proceeding, knowingly entering and remaining in a restricted building, and engaging in disorderly conduct in a Capitol building with the intent to impede a session of Congress.
The Department of Justice said when Balmaseda entered the building, "broken glass was scattered on the ground, and an alarm blared near the doorway. After entering the Capitol, Balmaseda made her way toward the Crypt and pushed her way to the front of a crowd of rioters who were confronting a police line."
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As the New Times points out, Balmaseda interned for Rubio between 2018 and 2019, and also worked as an organizer for Gov. Ron DeSantis' 2018 campaign. She was listed online as director-at-large for the Miami Young Republicans and served as regional director for Young Conservatives for Carbon Dividends.
Balmaseda was dubbed "#PinkGaiterPBG" by online sleuths in the months after Jan. 6., who shared images of her standing alongside members of the Proud Boys inside the Capitol wearing a baseball cap with an American flag and a black-and-pink gaiter.
