Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) confronted an anti-Israel protester on Capitol Hill Thursday after the man physically bumped him outside the Longworth House Office Building in Washington, D.C.
Capitol Police questioned the protester but released him without charges.
Confrontation Outside Longworth
Witnesses say the protester pressed Burchett on his support for Israel, stepping into the congressman’s personal space.
When the man bumped him, Burchett responded with a shove.
“Everyone has a right to their opinion, and they can say all of the filthy stuff they want. But they don’t have the right to bump the congressman,” Burchett spokesperson Will Garrett said.
Strong Israel Backer
Burchett, 61, has been a consistent ally of Israel.
In June, he introduced a House resolution rejecting the United Nations’ decision to place the Israeli Defense Force on a list of children’s rights abusers, calling the move a “stunt” and a “total joke.”
Known for Sharp Retorts
The Tennessee congressman has clashed with agitators before.
In March, a left-wing protester pressed him on Trump’s handling of war plans. Burchett fired back, “Do you trust your mother every night to fix your Hot Pockets and make sure your Game Boy is turned on?”.
When the same heckler asked him a similar question days earlier, Burchett replied, “I do — but I do not trust your wardrobe adviser.”
