A former public media intern allegedly pepper-sprayed a conservative journalist on a Philadelphia bus in broad daylight, raising urgent questions about whether political violence against right-leaning voices will face serious prosecution under the new administration.
Story Snapshot
- Frank Scales, a conservative journalist documenting left-wing activism, alleges he was verbally harassed, physically struck, and pepper-sprayed on a SEPTA bus by Paulina Reyes, a former WHYY intern
- The January 20 incident went viral after Scales posted video footage, drawing commentary from Elon Musk and sparking debate about prosecution of political violence
- SEPTA and Philadelphia police are investigating, but no charges have been filed as of current reporting
- Both individuals knew each other from Community College of Philadelphia, complicating narratives of random politically-motivated attacks
Viral Video Exposes Transit Confrontation
Frank Scales, operating under the social media handle SurgePhilly, posted video footage on January 21 showing a confrontation that allegedly occurred the previous day around noon on SEPTA’s Route 7 bus. The video shows a woman identified as Paulina Reyes allegedly verbally harassing and physically assaulting Scales before deploying pepper spray. Police arrived on scene and took Scales’ statement, though he refused medical attention. The incident gained immediate traction on social media, amplified significantly when Elon Musk commented on the altercation, characterizing Reyes as having “violence issues.” This amplification transformed a local transit incident into a national conversation about political violence.
BREAKING: Unhinged leftist who attacked an independent journalist on a Philly bus, punching and pepper spraying @FrankJScales, has been identified as Paulina Reyes, an intern at @WHYYNews. https://t.co/yMR81SD80F pic.twitter.com/oyOtK8OulY
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) January 20, 2026
Institutional Distance and Investigation Gaps
WHYY, Philadelphia’s public media station, quickly issued a statement clarifying that Reyes “served as an intern at WHYY from June 2025 through August 2025 and has no current affiliation, employment, or contractual relationship with our organization.” This carefully worded distancing suggests institutional concerns about reputational damage from association with alleged political violence. SEPTA confirmed it is investigating the Route 7 bus incident, but details remain sparse. Philadelphia Police took Scales’ statement but have not confirmed charges against Reyes. This investigative vacuum raises concerns familiar to conservatives who have watched similar incidents fade without accountability, particularly when perpetrators align with left-wing activism.
Prior Relationship Complicates Political Attack Narrative
Research reveals both Scales and Reyes served in student leadership positions together at Community College of Philadelphia, indicating a prior personal connection that complicates characterizations of this as a random ideological attack. Scales has been documenting left-wing protests in Philadelphia through his Surge Media operation, positioning himself as a conservative voice exposing activist tactics. He previously claimed to have been pepper-sprayed at another incident, releasing what he alleged was police dispatch audio, though Philadelphia Police declined to authenticate those recordings. This history suggests an ongoing pattern of confrontations rather than isolated incidents. The personal familiarity between the parties raises questions about whether this represents political targeting or a personal dispute with political overtones.
Pattern of Violence Without Consequences
The incident fits a troubling pattern conservatives have witnessed for years: alleged violence against right-leaning journalists and activists that generates social media outrage but rarely results in serious prosecution. While investigations remain ongoing, the lack of immediate charges despite video evidence and police response frustrates Americans who watched left-wing rioters during 2020 face minimal consequences for far worse conduct. This creates a two-tiered justice system where political affiliation appears to influence prosecutorial decisions. The Trump administration’s return to power creates expectations that such disparities will be addressed, but local prosecutors in Democrat-controlled cities like Philadelphia retain significant autonomy. Whether Reyes faces charges will signal whether the shift in federal leadership translates to accountability at local levels where much political street violence occurs.
Sources:
Who is Paulina Reyes? Suspect Named in Viral SEPTA Bus Pepper Spray Attack
SEPTA Bus Altercation: Intern Pepper Spray
