Rashida Tlaib Draws Criticism After Referring to the U.S. as “They” While Condemning Strikes on Iran

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) faced a wave of criticism after an X post in which she appeared to refer to the United States as "they" while condemning recent strikes on Iran.

"Both the U.S. and genocidal Israel doesn't care about the laws. This is who they are,"

Tlaib wrote, attaching video she said showed a school hit during the strikes and asserting roughly 40 people were killed. The New York Times reported on Sunday that "dozens" were killed in the attack, citing Iranian health officials and state media.

Tlaib's use of the plural pronoun "they" drew particular attention because she is an elected member of the U.S. Congress. Commentators from across the political spectrum publicly rebuked her wording.

Notable Reactions

Journalist James Surowiecki wrote directly to Tlaib, "You're a member of Congress. Don't call the U.S. 'they.'" Fox News host Mark Levin mocked the post, calling Tlaib a "brainiac" and suggesting Iranians supported the strikes. Fellow Fox commentator Guy Benson labeled her a "terrorism apologist," while conservative commentator Stephen L. Miller told her she was "free to go" if she disliked the country. Commentary editor John Podhoretz questioned her loyalty, asking whether she was, "in the end, a traitor."

Others on the right made similar criticisms, and social media amplified both the original post and the backlash.

Context And Caution On Reports

The post came amid intense and rapidly evolving coverage of the strikes. Some circulating claims — including reports that Iran's supreme leader had been killed and references to an operation called "Operation Epic Fury" — were widely shared online. Those specific claims were not independently verified by major international outlets at the time and should be treated with caution.

This article focuses on the public reaction to Tlaib's language and the broader context of disputed and developing reports surrounding the strikes.