Rep. Tlaib’s campaign pays $170K to anti-Israel, anti-police activist
Far-left Rep. Rashida Tlaib has doled out roughly $170,000 to a political consulting firm run by an anti-Israel, pro-“Defund the police” activist since early 2020 through the “Squad” member’s campaign and leadership PAC.
Federal Elections Commission filings for Tlaib (D-Mich.) first reported by Fox News reveal that her re-election campaign has paid $147,000 to Unbought Power LLC over the course of several months since March 2020 for “Fundraising Consulting.” Rooted in Community Leadership, Tlaib’s leadership PAC, reportedly paid the organization an additional $23,000.
Unbought Power is run by Rasha Mubarak, who is also listed as the “treasurer” of Rooted in Community Leadership.
Mubarak has repeatedly touted her relationship with Tlaib, particularly in establishing the leadership PAC to build up “progressive power from the bottom up.”
“As a Palestinian American & progressive activist I’ve been thrilled to work w @RashidaTlaib,” she tweeted in October 2020. “Earlier this year, Rashida came to me with an idea to support movement-connected candidates and organizations so we could build progressive power from the bottom up.”
“Since we launched the Rooted in Community Leadership PAC,” she continued, “we’ve already donated to over 20 candidates and organizations who are doing the critical work on the ground ― fighting for environmental, racial, social, and economic justice.”
However, Mubarak’s Twitter has also featured several pro-Palestinian statements as well as support for defunding the police — stances Tlaib has been criticized for taking as well.
“These aren’t clashes — it’s an ongoing occupation, These aren’t evictions — they are forced expulsions, This isn’t a conflict — it’s settler colonialism, it’s ethnic cleansing, it’s oppression, it’s apartheid,” Mubarak wrote last May. “Say it loud. Say it clear. Palestine will be FREE #SaveSheikhJarrah.”
Months earlier, Mubarak slammed Secretary of State Antony Blinken for opposing an International Criminal Court investigation over alleged forced displacement of Palestinian families.
“Shame on you @SecBlinken — not only are you NOT holding ISRAEL accountable for their human rights violation and violent medical apartheid. You are blaming the oppressed,” she tweeted. “Disgusting. The Palestinian people are NOT disposable. SHAMEFUL.”
In September last year, Mubarak lashed out at Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) over his criticism of Tlaib for labeling Israel an “apartheid state.”
“Oh look it’s @RepTedDeutch throwing another tantrum. He used his time to attack @RashidaTlaib for underscoring facts also made by Human Rights Watch … Israel is indeed an apartheid state. He’s flustered bc how else does one rebuttal the truth? Bullying & disparagement,” Mubarak tweeted.
Since taking office in 2019, Tlaib has repeatedly come under fire for her criticism of Israel, including a defense of an economic boycott of the Jewish state to push back against what she has called Israel’s “racist policies.”
Tlaib has also accused Israel of having an “apartheid government” and called on President Biden last year to scrap a $735 million arms sale, which she said would be used to “kill children and families.”
In 2019, Tlaib and fellow “Squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) were barred from visiting Israel after then-President Donald Trump tweeted that they hated the Jewish state and called for the ban.
Tlaib and Mubarak also hold similar beliefs about law enforcement.
In April last year, Mubarak pushed the “defund” line, slamming policing as a “racist system.”
“Only a ‘few bad apples’ kill Black & brown people? Nah racist systems that uphold it’s white supremacist origin kill Black & brown people — Black & brown CHILDREN. #AdamToledo was a 13 yr old child murdered by this police state. No more names. Abolish the police #DefundThePolice”
In July 2020, Mubarak specifically pushed for Orange County, Fla., to scrap its police department.
“Join us as we call on Mayor Jerry Demings to reject $15 million for police and to redirect funds to give the PEOPLE a raise,” she tweeted. “Orange County needs to defund the police, stop subsidizing corporations, and fund the community #OurBudgetOurBlock #DefundThePolice #GivethePeopleaRaise.”
Tlaib has attempted to push similar measures in Congress, backing federal legislation in 2020 to defund police and set up reparations for people who either are black or were harmed by cops.
While some top Democrats — including Biden — oppose defunding the police, Tlaib has repeatedly emphasized her belief that policing in the US “is inherently and intentionally racist.”
“It wasn’t an accident. Policing in our country is inherently & intentionally racist. Daunte Wright was met with aggression & violence,” she wrote in a tweet last April.
“I am done with those who condone government-funded murder. No more policing, incarceration, and militarization. It can’t be reformed,” she continued.
Tlaib’s office did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
