The US House of Representatives voted to censure Rep. Rashida Talib (D-MI) on 7 November 2023. The stated reasons for the censure were:
The censure resolution introduced by Georgia Rep. Rich McCormick condemns the Michigan Democrat for "promoting false narratives" around the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel and "calling for the destruction of the state of Israel." [1]
According to one report:
Tlaib posted a video Friday that included footage of protesters in Michigan chanting part of a rallying cry — "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" — that the Anti-Defamation League and Jewish groups view as calling for the destruction of Israel and consider to be antisemitic. Tlaib defended the use of the slogan as "an aspirational call for freedom, human rights and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate." [2]
There are those who believe that, by censuring her, Rep. Talib’s peers were trying to interfere with her First Amendment right to freedom of speech:
Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said Tuesday the censure vote will show who "believes in the freedom of speech, even the speech they hate." He argued that those who vote to censure Tlaib "want to impose a new political straitjacket of cancel culture" on the country. [3]
Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), who sponsored the resolution, countered that it was evidence that a majority in the US House of Representatives do not share Rep. Talib’s opinions, and its passage was an exercise of their freedom of speech. [4] Rep. McCormic has had to temporarily close his office, due to security concerns following his introduction of the resolution. [5]
How we see things often depends on whose side we support. I hope we can agree in principle, however, that the constitutional rights of all US citizens must be respected and protected. I hope that we can also agree that the exercise of our constitutional rights must be done in ways that do not deny others their rights, including the right to life and safety.
I believe that in most cases the common good is best served by common sense. Like it or not, the exercise of our constitutional rights is qualified.
Examples include:
Americans have the right to free speech - I may disagree with what some people say. I may even find it nauseating - but I will fight for their right to say it. Nevertheless, Americans may not expect their speech to be protected if it incites others to violence against individuals or people groups, if it advocates the violent overthrow of the government, if it gives aid and comfort to our enemies in time of war, if it conspires to commit crimes, and so forth. By way of illustration: you will get into serious trouble if you make jokes about a bomb in your luggage while boarding a commercial airplane.
Citizens of the United States have the right to keep and bear arms. I am a staunch and steadfast supporter of the Second Amendment. However, I worked in the criminal justice system for over 20 years, and it is my firm conviction that the right of persons who have been convicted of a felony to own or possess firearms should be permanently forfeited (subject to clemency from a governor or the president). I support laws that provide for enhanced sentences for those who use deadly weapons in the commission of a crime. It is necessary and prudent for society to prevent persons who are determined by a court to be a danger to self or others, due to mental illness, from having any form of access to a firearm.
A free press is necessary for a free country. One cannot exist without the other. Yet, it is necessary, particularly in time of war, for the government to protect the national interest by delaying the reporting of sensitive news stories. The safety of our military personnel must not be jeopardized by news accounts. The government should have the right to protect the identities of intelligence agents and their assets, and military covert operatives. Classified information must not be published without an independent review by the courts to determine if the need for classification outweighs the public’s right to know.
These commonsense limitations benefit us all. Remember that the courts are available to rule on any unjust or illegal infringement of our constitutional rights.
In the case of Rep. Talib, it is clear that, given the volatility of the public demonstrations she has addressed, the totality of her angry and strident remarks has been irresponsible, reckless, and dangerous. She deserved to be censured. Her conduct has been unbecoming of a US Representative and a disgrace to the US House of Representatives.
Jesus told us that we are to love our neighbor as we ourselves. (Matthew 19:19, 22:39; Luke 10:25-37) To hate someone because of their race, skin color, ethnicity, people group – or because of their religion – is wrong. It is disobedience to God. Sometimes, we must defend ourselves against those who are trying to harm us or others. Yet, we should never give way to hate, grudges, or vengefulness. (Leviticus 19:18) It would be a good thing if we all take a moment to examine our consciences regarding this matter.
[2]
Ibid.
[3]
Ibid.
[4]
Ibid.
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