The United Auto Workers union is standing behind a member who was involved in a stunning exchange with President Donald Trump on Tuesday at a Ford plant in Michigan.
The union employee, identified as TJ Sabula by the Washington Post, was suspended from his position at a Ford F-150 factory in Dearborn after calling Trump a “pedophile protector” during the president’s tour of the facility. Video footage captured Trump mouthing “f— you” and raising his middle finger in response to the heckler.
Following Sabula’s suspension, UAW Vice President and Ford Department Director Laura Dickerson said that the union “will ensure that our member receives the full protection of all negotiated contract language safeguarding his job and his rights as a union member.”
“The autoworker at the Dearborn Truck Plant is a proud member of a strong and fighting union — the UAW,” Dickerson said Wednesday. “He believes in freedom of speech, a principle we wholeheartedly embrace, and we stand with our membership in protecting their voice on the job.
“Workers should never be subjected to vulgar language or behavior by anyone—including the President of the United States.”
As the exchange went viral on social media, the White House defended Trump’s response as “appropriate.”
“A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement.
Despite his suspension, Sabula expressed no remorse about jeering the president.
“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” Sabula told the Washington Post.
In addition to the UAW’s backing, Sabula received an outpouring of support from more than 13,000 donors who contributed to an online fundraiser in the wake of his suspension.
The Go Fund Me endeavor raised over $330,000 before the organizer paused the campaign.
“TJ and his family greatly appreciate the outpouring of support! At this time we are closing donations to this campaign and encourage you to look for other causes and organizations to support,” wrote Diandra Gourley, a personal friend of the Sabula family who launched the fundraiser. “We appreciate every single donation, comment, share, and sign of support!”
