According to US media, DeLuca posted openly on social media about the Capitol riot as it happened and in the days afterwards. “People went to the Capitol building because that’s Our House and that’s where we go to take our grievances,” she wrote in 2021, per the court documents. “People feel, as do I, that an election was stolen from them and it was allowed.”

According to FBI records, DeLuca claimed she did indeed go to the Capitol with friends, but hadn’t entered the building.

DeLuca has since taken to Instagram to talk about her experience. “As many of you already know, I am facing the unwarranted targeting and persecution of the DOJ and FBI at the direction of the Biden Administration, like most J6ers,” she wrote, “To say it’s a shock is the understatement of the century. Being handcuffed and shackled isn’t something I ever thought I would experience”.

She has also launched a legal defence fund to raise money to cover legal fees, consultations, and associated costs, according to her GiveSendGo page, which has raised US$20,800 so far out of a US$55,000 goal, at the time of writing.

So, who is she exactly?

Isabella DeLuca is a social media influencer

DeLuca has built a large fan base. On Instagram, she has over 126,000 followers and boasts another 345,000 followers on X.

She is a former congressional intern

DeLuca has roots in politics. According to AP, she is a former congressional intern who works as a media associate for The Gold Institute for International Strategy. She has also reportedly interned for former US representatives Lee Zeldin of New York and Paul Gosar of Arizona.

What topics does she cover?

Another post stated: “My five-year plan is to get married, buy land and homestead with my friends, have children, and form a homeschooling alliance where we indoctrinate our children with traditional values. Who’s in?”

Her hyper-traditional stance on the role of women in marriage has also drawn backlash.

She is religious

She stands up for important causes too

Although DeLuca gets most attention for her unpopular opinions, she has also been honest about her own struggles in an attempt to help others.

In December 2022, she opened up about her difficult past during Suicide Awareness Month. “Ten years ago I attempted to take my own life. Thereafter that, many many times, I struggled with suicidal thoughts and the urge of wanting to re-attempt,” she shared. DeLuca said her little brother and memories of taking care of him as a little baby have kept her from ever reattempting.

If you have suicidal thoughts or know someone who is experiencing them, help is available. In Hong Kong, you can dial 18111 for the government-run Mental Health Support Hotline. You can also call +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services.