Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) is facing bipartisan backlash after responding to reports of U.S. military airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen by criticizing the response to a national security leak rather than the actions of the armed group.
The controversy stems from a Signal group chat reportedly used by top U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, to discuss classified details related to upcoming military strikes.
According to reports, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, was accidentally added to the chat, prompting immediate concern from lawmakers.
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“This is an outrageous national security breach, and heads should roll,” Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) told Axios, a quote relayed by reporter Andrew Solender on X.
Tlaib replied to Solender’s post, writing, “More heat for using a group chat than for the bombing itself.”
More heat for using a group chat than for the bombing itself. https://t.co/aH2R5vXiag
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) March 24, 2025
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Her response drew swift criticism across political lines, particularly due to the nature of the U.S. airstrikes, which targeted Houthi operatives classified as a terrorist group.
Critics accused Tlaib of once again appearing to minimize or dismiss the threat posed by militant organizations.
“They’re bombing terrorists, Rashida,” Townhall editor Katie Pavlich wrote in response to Tlaib.
They’re bombing terrorists, Rashida https://t.co/piDHojmeWr
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) March 25, 2025
Former CNN anchor and current NewsNation host Chris Cuomo added, “You want them to attack more Americans?”
You want them to attack more Americans? https://t.co/5ARNR7yiEo
— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) March 25, 2025
“I mean, yeah, because killing Iranian-backed jihadists is a good thing,” wrote Jerry Dunleavy, Chief Investigative Correspondent at Just the News.
I mean yeah, because killing Iranian-backed jihadists is a good thing. https://t.co/3YxcjWOD56
— Jerry Dunleavy IV (@JerryDunleavy) March 25, 2025
President Donald Trump authorized the strikes earlier this month, citing a pattern of Houthi aggression in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden targeting U.S. and allied maritime and aerial assets.
“They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones,” Trump said.
“Joe Biden’s response was pathetically weak, so the unrestrained Houthis just kept going.”
“The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated,” Trump added.
“We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective.”
Statement from @POTUS: pic.twitter.com/Ywl3LONxlW
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 15, 2025
The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, are a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization backed by the Iranian regime.
They have been responsible for multiple attacks on civilian and military targets in the region, including U.S. ships, and have received global condemnation for their actions.
Rep. Tlaib has previously made headlines for controversial statements regarding foreign policy.
In July 2023, she held up a sign in Congress reading “War Criminal” and “Guilty of Genocide” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered an address.
Later that year, she was censured by the House for promoting Hamas propaganda and making inflammatory comments in the aftermath of the October 7 terror attacks in Israel.
The U.S. House of Representatives has officially censured Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib “for promoting false narratives regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the state of Israel” pic.twitter.com/9grQTKYnSL
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 8, 2023
In May 2023, Tlaib appeared at an art show featuring material that advocated for the elimination of Israel and glorified individuals linked to terrorism.
Following the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October, she made a public statement amplifying false reports about an Israeli strike on a hospital — a claim that was later debunked.
So @RashidaTlaib addressed a crowd of Hamas supporters outside the Capitol, lied and told them that Israel bombed a hospital in Gaza, and then these protesters stormed the Capitol. When will she be impeached and charged with felonies by Jack Smith? pic.twitter.com/RAqoI8HPA8
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 18, 2023
Her comments were cited as contributing to unrest in Washington, D.C., where hundreds of protesters were arrested after entering federal buildings.
The body of criticism directed at Rep. Tlaib continues to grow as lawmakers and commentators question her repeated alignment with extremist narratives.
The latest comments surrounding U.S. military action against the Houthis have renewed calls for disciplinary action in Congress.
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