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A Ford auto worker has been suspended after heckling President Donald Trump during a plant visit in Detroit.
TJ Sabula, 40, was sent home pending an investigation after shouting “Pedophile protector!” at the President on Tuesday.
The incident gained immediate attention after Trump reportedly responded to the heckler with a middle finger and an expletive.
Speaking to the Washington Post, Sabula stated he has “no regrets whatsoever” about his choice of words.
Sabula, a political independent, said he felt he had to seize the opportunity to speak out when it arose.
However, the worker expressed concern for his job, claiming he is being “targeted for political retribution.”
Sabula believes he is being punished for embarrassing the President in front of his associates.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended the President’s reaction in an official statement.
Cheung described Sabula as a “lunatic” and called Trump’s response “appropriate and unambiguous.”
The confrontation happened while Trump was being interviewed by CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil.
During that same visit, Trump commented on labor struggles, suggesting that robots would eventually replace auto workers.
The President predicted that automation would be a “big factor” in the future of the automotive industry.
Ford has not yet confirmed how long Sabula’s suspension will last or if further disciplinary action is planned.
