The United Auto Workers issued a statement on Wednesday defending a Michigan member who heckled President Donald Trump during a visit to a Ford plant earlier this week.
The confrontation occurred on Tuesday when Trump was touring the Ford River Rouge complex in Dearborn. According to the union, the worker, identified as 40-year-old TJ Sabula, was suspended following the incident.
UAW Vice President Laura Dickerson categorized the action as freedom of speech and said the union “wholeheartedly embraces” the principle.
“Workers should never be subjected to vulgar language or behavior by anyone—including the President of the United States,” Dickerson said in the statement.
During the exchange, Sabula reportedly called the president a “pedophile protector,” a reference he said was to Trump’s past ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the Trump administration’s handling of related files.
Trump responded by flipping off the worker and mouthing what appeared to be “f*** you” twice, an interaction captured in a video released by TMZ.
Despite the suspension, Sabula told the Washington Post that he has “no regrets” about his actions and felt he was “targeted for political retribution.”
Sabula’s suspension remains under review by Ford management. Union representatives indicated they are prepared to file a grievance if the disciplinary action is not rescinded, arguing that Sabula’s conduct, while confrontational, did not violate safety protocols or standard workplace conduct policies.
While Ford spokesman David Tovar said the company does not “condone anyone saying anything inappropriate,” two GoFundMe fundraisers for Sabula have already raised over $190,000.
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Dickerson indicated in her statement that union representatives are prepared to file a grievance if disciplinary action is not rescinded.
“The UAW will ensure that our member receives the full protection of all negotiated contract language safeguarding his job and his rights as a union member,” she said.