Republican congressman Keith Self has received multiple death threats after referring to transgender Rep. Sarah McBride as “mister” during a House hearing. This incident highlights the intensifying culture war within Congress as political tensions over gender identity reach dangerous new heights.
At a glance:
- Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) canceled a constituent event after receiving death threats for calling Rep. Sarah McBride “mister”
- The incident occurred during a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing, leading to the meeting’s adjournment
- Multiple threats against Self are currently being investigated by authorities
- Self defended his actions citing a Trump-era policy recognizing only two biological sexes
- McBride criticized Republicans for being “obsessed with culture war issues” rather than focusing on American families
Death Threats Force Congressman to Cancel Event
Texas Republican Congressman Keith Self has been forced to cancel a constituent meet-up event following a barrage of death threats. The threats came after Self referred to transgender Representative Sarah McBride (D-DE) as “mister” during a recent House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing. McBride is a man, formerly named Tim, who now claims to be a woman. In Democrat circles, simply saying that you are something you are not is enough to make your claim “real.”
Self announced the cancellation of his “Koffee with Keith” event in Greenville, Texas, citing safety concerns for constituents and their families. Several of the threats are currently under investigation by authorities, according to statements from Self’s office.
Heated Exchange Leads to Hearing Shutdown
The controversy began during a subcommittee hearing when Self addressed McBride as “Mr. McBride” instead of using female pronouns. This prompted an immediate and forceful reaction from Democratic Representative Bill Keating of Massachusetts.
The exchange became so contentious that the hearing was abruptly adjourned by the Chair. Self later defended his position, noting that his reference aligned with a Trump administration policy recognizing only two biological sexes.
Self later said that he is not required to participate in McBride’s “fantasy.”
“In life as in war, there are times to engage and times to disengage. In recent days, the rhetoric from the left has turned vile and hateful. My office received multiple death threats and threats of violence — several of which are currently being investigated by authorities,” Self stated in his announcement.
“Rather than place constituents, their families, and their property in harm’s way, I’ve decided to err on the side of caution and postpone Saturday’s Koffee with Keith in Greenville, Texas. I look forward to re-engaging with constituents again very soon. God bless, Keith Self,” the Congressman added.
McBride Criticizes Republican Focus
McBride, who is the first openly transgender member of Congress, responded to the incident by criticizing Republicans for what he characterized as an obsession with gender identity issues. The Delaware representative suggested GOP lawmakers should redirect their attention to more pressing matters facing American families.
“I appear to live rent-free in the minds of some of my Republican colleagues. I wish that they would spend even a fraction of the time that they spend thinking about me, thinking about how to lower the costs on American families, figuring out how to actually make government work better. … The Republican Party is obsessed with culture war issues. It is weird, and it is bizarre,” McBride stated following the incident.
This is not the first controversy involving McBride since entering Congress. The Representative has been at the center of previous disputes regarding transgender rights and access to facilities within the Capitol building.
Self maintains that his stance is consistent with both traditional values and official policies implemented under President Donald Trump’s administration. The escalation to death threats demonstrates how deeply divisive the issue of gender identity has become in American politics.
