Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) spoke with reporters on Friday following a Republican conference meeting to discuss the next potential speaker of the House.
After affirming his intent to vote for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and answering various questions about potential other contenders for the position, he responded to a question about the olive-green Israel Defense Forces uniform he wore.
“What’s with your threads today? Can you tell us anything about those?” a reporter asked the congressman as he began to leave.
Pausing for a moment, Mast turned to the reporter and said: “Tlaib’s got her flag, I’ve got my uniform.”
He was referring to Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who supported Hamas in the wake of the Oct. 7 terror attacks that have left 1,300 dead in Israel, more than thousands wounded with as many as 150 taken captive in the Gaza Strip. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) filed a motion to censure the Michigan congresswoman.
Mast repeated his remark on X, adding that “as the only member to serve with both the United States Army and the Israel Defense Forces, I will always stand with Israel.”
The congressman concluded, remarking on Hamas’ proclamation for further violence: “‘Global Day of Rage’ my ass.”
