--- title: Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Defends Rep. Tlaib's Use of Profanity description: New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez flew to the defense of Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan's use of profanity about impeachment. canonical: https://time.com/5494817/ocasio-cortez-defends-tlaib-profanity/ author: TIME article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2019-01-05T21:17:37.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:53:01.194Z article:section: Politics og:title: Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Defends Rep. Tlaib's Use of Profanity Against President Trump og:description: Trump called the comments “disgraceful” and “highly disrespectful” to the nation og:url: https://time.com/5494817/ocasio-cortez-defends-tlaib-profanity/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1171442dce21c3b8/698942bc656a3f0c12bd65f7/ocasio-cortez-tlaib-defense-profanity.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3000 og:image:height: 1688 og:image:alt: ocasio-cortez-tlaib-defense-profanity og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Defends Rep. Tlaib's Use of Profanity Against President Trump twitter:description: Trump called the comments “disgraceful” and “highly disrespectful” to the nation twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1171442dce21c3b8/698942bc656a3f0c12bd65f7/ocasio-cortez-tlaib-defense-profanity.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Defends Rep. Tlaib's Use of Profanity Against President Trump > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=baed0d6b-e92d-4081-94b5-f7c231c0e9fa&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### The seven newsletters | Newsletter | Covers | Frequency | | --- | --- | --- | | The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily | | Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) | | Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Daily | | Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Tuesday and Saturday (2x per week) | | D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Monday to Saturday (3x per week) | | Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) | | In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) | Source: TIME, August 2026. ### Key data points | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 | | Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Publishing since | 1923 | TIME | ### TIME Newsletters: key statements * Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read. * All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=baed0d6b-e92d-4081-94b5-f7c231c0e9fa&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). * The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=baed0d6b-e92d-4081-94b5-f7c231c0e9fa&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What newsletters does TIME publish? TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (daily health), Worth Your Time (culture, twice weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, three times a week), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers. #### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to? It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters. #### Are TIME's newsletters free? Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### Who writes TIME's newsletters? TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ## Video: Rashida Tlaib Just Became One of the First Muslim Women in Congress [Watch (HLS stream): Rashida Tlaib Just Became One of the First Muslim Women in Congress](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/zgDcSXCH.m3u8) (0:47)  _Published 2018-11-07. Tlaib, a Democrat from Detroit who is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, ran unopposed in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District to become one of the first Muslim women in Congress_ by [Anna Edney, Arit John and Erik Wasson / Bloomberg](https://time.com/author/bloomberg/) ## Anna Edney, Arit John and Erik Wasson / Bloomberg Contributor Jan 5, 2019 9:17 PM UTC  United States Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York waves to the gallery as the 116th Congress convenes for its opening session in the US House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Jan. 3, 2019. United States Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York waves to the gallery as the 116th Congress convenes for its opening session in the US House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Jan. 3, 2019. REX—Shutterstock by [Anna Edney, Arit John and Erik Wasson / Bloomberg](https://time.com/author/bloomberg/) ## Anna Edney, Arit John and Erik Wasson / Bloomberg Contributor Jan 5, 2019 9:17 PM UTC (Bloomberg) — Senior Democrats distanced themselves from a House member’s profanity-laced call for President Donald Trump’s impeachment, but New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Saturday flew to the defense of her fellow freshman. “I got your back,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted at Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, who created a stir by telling supporters on Thursday that “we’re gonna go in and impeach the motherf—–,” referring to the president. The Tlaib brouhaha is the latest example of how some of the party’s new members, swept into office in November’s midterm elections, are pushing boundaries and creating headaches for Democratic leaders. Her comments, made at a reception hosted by progressive activist group MoveOn, were caught on video and reported by The Washington Post. Tlaib’s office didn’t respond to requests for comment but in a statement to BuzzFeed News said she “absolutely believes he needs to be impeached.” ## ‘Scandalizing Themselves’ Trump called the comments “disgraceful” and “highly disrespectful” to the country on Friday. “I think she dishonored herself and I think she dishonored her family,” Trump said during a press conference on the partial government shutdown. He added that “you can’t impeach somebody who’s doing a great job.” Ocasio-Cortez went after the Republican Party for criticizing Tlaib. “Republican hypocrisy at its finest: saying that Trump admitting to sexual assault on tape is just ‘locker room talk,’ but scandalizing themselves into faux-outrage when my sis says a curse word in a bar,” she told her 2 million Twitter followers. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who’s been trying to tamp down talk of impeaching Trump as Democrats try to move on their legislative agenda, said Friday that Tlaib’s stance “is not the position of the House Democratic caucus.” ### ‘Foul Language’ She declined to chastise Tlaib for the vulgarity, saying that while she doesn’t use that kind of language she’s “not in the censorship business.” “That’s freedom of speech of an individual member,” Pelosi said at MSNBC’s “The Speaker” town hall event. Republicans seized on both Tlaib’s impeachment call and her language. “They announce they are going to impeach the president. On what basis?” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. “How do you work with anybody if this is what they really have planned?” House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney — whose father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, once directed a profanity at a Democratic senator on the Senate floor — decried the use of “foul language” and said she worried her children would hear of it. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat, said “everyone has their own style” and Tlaib’s “ain’t mine.” He added that one Democrat’s comments shouldn’t reflect the whole caucus. “I don’t think anybody should ascribe to all the Democrats what one member might say,” Clyburn said. “I don’t think we ought to be talking about impeachment until we get this country back on track.” Pelosi said discussions about impeachment would only help Trump solidify the support of his base. She added that she didn’t think Tlaib’s comments were worse than anything the president has said. “Words weigh a ton, and the president has to realize his words weigh a ton, too, and some of the words he uses have a direct impact on people’s lives,” Pelosi said. “My colleague’s comments do not have an impact on people’s lives.” ## Transcript So I think it's official that I am- [ APPLAUSE ] That I am Congresswoman Elect Rashida Tlaib. [ APPLAUSE ] That this was my time to run and not sit on the sidelines. And so I ran, and so by chance, I'm also making history today. But more importantly, people got something different. I mean many of us didn't run because we wanted to be first to make history. I mean Hanna Presley was also fed up. Allan Omar. I mean so many of us were all moms. We're We're kind of people that just feel like it's really important that we are focused on the gun crisis, focused on healthcare, focused on all those things that seem to be a divide within the United States Congress right now. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5494817/ocasio-cortez-defends-tlaib-profanity/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5494817/ocasio-cortez-defends-tlaib-profanity/"},"headline":"Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Defends Rep. Tlaib's Use of Profanity Against President Trump","datePublished":"2019-01-05T21:17:37.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:53:01.194Z","description":"Trump called the comments “disgraceful” and “highly disrespectful” to the nation","url":"https://time.com/5494817/ocasio-cortez-defends-tlaib-profanity/","keywords":["Congress","onetime"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1171442dce21c3b8/698942bc656a3f0c12bd65f7/ocasio-cortez-tlaib-defense-profanity.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Anna Edney, Arit John and Erik Wasson / Bloomberg"}],"articleSection":"Politics","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1171442dce21c3b8/698942bc656a3f0c12bd65f7/ocasio-cortez-tlaib-defense-profanity.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"ocasio-cortez-tlaib-defense-profanity","caption":"116th Congress begins, Washington DC, USA - 03 Jan 2019","creditText":"REX—Shutterstock","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/politics/","name":"Politics"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/congress/","name":"Congress"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5494817/ocasio-cortez-defends-tlaib-profanity/","name":"Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Defends Rep. Tlaib's Use of Profanity Against President Trump"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Rashida Tlaib Just Became One of the First Muslim Women in Congress","description":"Tlaib, a Democrat from Detroit who is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, ran unopposed in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District to become one of the first Muslim women in Congress","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zgDcSXCH/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2018-11-07T07:21:28.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/zgDcSXCH.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/5494817/ocasio-cortez-defends-tlaib-profanity/","duration":"PT47S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/5494817/ocasio-cortez-defends-tlaib-profanity/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```