Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., started shouting at Florida GOP Rep. Byron Donalds during a Thursday hearing after he criticized her for calling Republican efforts to reduce crime in Washington, D.C., “fascist.”
The disagreement happened after Tlaib criticized Republicans for their “rhetoric” about the District of Columbia, where President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to help local law enforcement deal with crime.
“We can’t be passive right now,” Tlaib said during the House Oversight hearing. “So no one over there should take what we say personally, as if we’re attacking them. No, we’re attacking a process. We’re not attacking people. And I think it’s really important we stand up against this fascist takeover – that’s not a bad word, it’s a fact.”
Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Byron Donalds clashed during a Thursday congressional hearing over rhetoric from both parties following Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
“Here in DC and across the country, it’s so important, Mr. Chair, that this committee does not allow rhetoric that defames or misrepresents Washington, D.C.,” Tlaib continued before Donalds tried to ask a question.
Even though Tlaib didn’t pause, Donalds eventually interjected.
“I think it’s crazy that the gentlewoman doesn’t have an argument, but she is going to refer to me and some of my colleagues as if we’re from the Third Reich. This is insane. It’s insane,” Donalds said.
The two raised their voices and got into a shouting match, with Donalds asking Tlaib, “Do I look like a member of the Third Reich to you, Ms. Tlaib? Is that what you think?”
Donalds later told reporters that Tlaib’s “fascist” label was “out of line.” The Florida GOP lawmaker is pushing two bills in Congress aimed at reducing crime, including one that would lower the age for juvenile sentencing from 25 to 18.
“I think it was important to set the record straight,” Donalds said. “Congresswoman Tlaib tried to call me and my colleagues fascists. Considering the assassination of Charlie Kirk, that’s even more serious now. I find it reprehensible. None of my colleagues are part of the Third Reich. If people want to talk about responsible rhetoric, it should start with Congresswoman Tlaib.”
In 2023, enough Democrats joined Republicans to formally censure Tlaib over her comments about the Israel-Hamas war that began on Oct. 7, 2023. Tlaib defended herself, saying she “will not be silenced and I will not let you distort my words,” according to the Associated Press.
Tlaib has also faced censure threats this month over comments she made at a pro-Palestinian conference in August.
