A resurfaced video involving Rep. Rashida Tlaib has reintroduced last year’s political firestorm into today’s already tense national climate. As the country reels from the deadly attack on two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., attention has turned back to a moment many Americans had forgotten—one that now feels far more consequential in hindsight.
The renewed outrage stems from a tense exchange captured on camera in 2024, when Tlaib refused to condemn demonstrators in her district who chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” during a rally in Dearborn, Michigan. At the time, the video caused an uproar among conservatives and several members of Congress, but it faded from the headlines as other political battles took center stage.
Now, in the aftermath of a fatal ambush allegedly carried out by an Afghan national in the heart of the nation’s capital, the clip has resurfaced—and many are reexamining Tlaib’s response with a renewed sense of urgency.
A Clip That Won’t Stay Buried
The video, originally recorded by Fox Business correspondent Hillary Vaughn, shows Tlaib walking through the Capitol complex as Vaughn repeatedly asks whether she condemns the chants shouted by protesters in her district. Rather than addressing the chant itself, Tlaib accuses Fox of using “racist tropes” and labels the network “Islamophobic.”
The original demonstration took place on April 5, 2024, outside the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn. Activists had gathered for the International Day of Al-Quds, an annual anti-Israel event held on the final Friday of Ramadan. Reports from The Detroit News confirmed that multiple protesters chanted “death to America” and “death to Israel” in Arabic.
With tensions already high in the community, the moment was significant. Yet Tlaib insisted she would not address the chant nor the protesters’ rhetoric.
“I do not talk to Fox News,” she replied when first asked.
When pressed again, she deflected: “I don’t talk to people that use racist tropes.”
Even after Vaughn clarified she was asking about the chant—not about Fox—Tlaib still refused to condemn it.
The clip resurfaced this week, reaching hundreds of thousands of views on X. Critics say the timing couldn’t be more relevant.
A Nation on Edge
The resurfaced video comes amid national grief and anger over the ambush that targeted two young National Guard members near the White House. Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died from her injuries on Friday. Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Both were from West Virginia and had been deployed to the District to support federal security operations.
The accused gunman, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had entered the U.S. through the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome program in 2021. According to reports, he overstayed his visa and was living illegally at the time of the attack.
The details ignited an immediate political shockwave.
President Trump, visibly enraged, told reporters on Friday:
“Because they let him! Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person? Because they came in on a plane, along with thousands of other people that shouldn’t be here.”
The comments were a direct rebuke of former President Joe Biden’s immigration policies and the administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Against this tragic backdrop, the resurfaced Tlaib video has become another flashpoint in the debate over extremism, immigration, and national loyalty.
A Pattern Critics Say Can No Longer Be Ignored
Tlaib, a leading progressive voice and one of the most outspoken members of the House “Squad,” has long clashed with conservatives over Israel, immigration, and national security. But for many Americans, her refusal to condemn a chant calling for America’s destruction is a line crossed.
On X, Sen. Rick Scott wrote:
“Rep. Rashida Tlaib refuses to condemn chants of ‘death to America.’ This blatant disrespect to our nation is disgusting from anyone – especially a sitting member of the United States Congress.”
Arsen Ostrovsky, head of the International Legal Forum, noted that Tlaib was asked “at least 6 times” whether she condemned the chant but “refuses to answer.”
Even Dearborn’s mayor, Abdullah Hammoud—himself a rising figure in Democratic circles—distanced the city from the extremists at the rally:
“We reject all inflammatory and violent statements made at the gathering. The Dearborn community stands for peace and justice for all people. We are proud to call this city and this country home.”
Yet Tlaib’s silence on the chant itself continues to reverberate more than a year later.
What the Dearborn Rally Symbolized
The Al-Quds Day demonstration has been controversial for decades. Originating in Iran, the event often features anti-American and anti-Israel rhetoric. In Dearborn—a community with one of the largest Arab-American populations in the U.S.—the rally draws sizable crowds.
But the 2024 event gained national attention after video surfaced of protesters chanting phrases that few Americans could ignore. Among them:
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“Death to America”
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“Death to Israel”
The chants mirrored rhetoric used by hostile foreign governments, prompting concern that such sentiments were gaining a foothold in American communities.
Tlaib’s refusal to condemn the chant became emblematic to conservatives of what they view as a troubling trend: elected officials allowing, excusing, or ignoring extremist rhetoric in their districts.
A Renewed Debate on Extremism and Immigration
The attack on the National Guard members has reignited questions about immigration vetting, as well as how elected leaders should respond to rhetoric that hints at extremism.
Lakanwal reportedly worked with U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan before arriving in the U.S. under humanitarian parole. His case echoes concerns raised during Biden’s Afghan evacuation, which critics said was rushed and poorly managed.
Now, after the fatal shooting, those concerns have exploded back into public debate—with the resurfaced Tlaib video adding fuel.
Critics argue that the congresswoman’s refusal to speak against extremist rhetoric sends a dangerous message, particularly at a moment when the nation is confronting imported radicalization.
Supporters counter that Tlaib was simply refusing to engage with a network she views as hostile.
But even some Democrats privately admit the video is damaging—especially now.
https://twitter.com/EYakoby/status/1994184601946726876
A Moment That Won’t Fade Quickly
The convergence of the National Guard tragedy and the reappearance of the Dearborn video pushes Tlaib deeper into the spotlight than she has been in months. The questions raised are difficult, and the timing for her political movement could not be worse.
As Americans demand accountability, clarity, and strength from their elected leaders, many will now revisit how Tlaib responded in the face of one of the most unambiguous forms of hatred: a public chant calling for the destruction of the country she serves.
And this time, the clip isn’t going away quietly.
Sarah Mitchell is a bestselling novelist recognized for her insightful and emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sarah grew up in a family of teachers who nurtured her curiosity and love for storytelling. She studied psychology at Stanford University, where she became fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior—an interest that would later shape her writing career. Sarah’s novels are praised for their nuanced characters, intricate plots, and ability to capture the subtle tensions that define love, friendship, and family ties. Her breakthrough novel, The Spaces Between Us, became an instant bestseller, lauded for its honest portrayal of strained family relationships and the fragile bonds that hold people together. Since then, she has published several works that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Outside of her writing career, Sarah is passionate about mental health advocacy and often partners with organizations to promote awareness and support for those struggling with emotional well-being. Her personal life is quieter—she enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains, practicing yoga, and spending time with close friends. With each new book, Sarah Mitchell cements her reputation as a writer who illuminates the beauty and struggles of human connection.
