UAW Official Confirms Ford Worker Who Confronted Trump Remains Employed Without Disciplinary Action
In a significant development following a highly publicized incident at a Michigan automotive plant, a United Auto Workers union official has confirmed that the Ford employee who heckled former President Donald Trump during a factory tour last month retains his position and has no disciplinary marks on his record. The announcement was made by UAW Vice President Laura Dickerson during a speech at the union's conference in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
Incident Recap and National Spotlight
The confrontation gained national attention when video footage captured TJ Sabula, the Ford worker, labeling Trump a "pedophile protector" as the former president inspected the Ford River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan, on January 13, 2026. Trump's immediate response, which included giving Sabula the middle finger and mouthing obscenities, was widely circulated, turning the exchange into a major news story. Following the altercation, Ford placed Sabula on a paid suspension, a move that sparked debate about workplace rights and political expression.
Union Support and Official Statements
During her address, Dickerson emphasized the union's unwavering support for Sabula, declaring, "TJ has got his job. And, more importantly, TJ has no discipline on his record." Her remarks were met with enthusiastic chants of "UAW" from attendees, highlighting the solidarity within the labor organization. Dickerson further articulated the union's philosophy, stating, "As UAW members, we speak truth to power. We don't just protect rights ― we exercise them." While she confirmed Sabula's continued employment, Dickerson did not clarify the current status of his suspension, leaving some questions unanswered.
According to a union source familiar with the matter, Ford had initially suspended Sabula with pay, a detail that underscores the complexity of the situation. Ford has not provided an immediate comment on the latest developments, as reported by the Detroit News, which first covered Dickerson's speech.
Context and Broader Implications
Sabula's taunt was a direct reference to Trump's past associations with Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and convicted sex offender who died by suicide in prison in 2019. Trump had previously socialized with Epstein in New York City and once described him as a "terrific guy" with a preference for younger women, adding a layer of controversy to the incident. In a subsequent interview with The Washington Post, Sabula expressed no regrets, saying, "I don't feel as though fate looks upon you often, and when it does, you better be ready to seize the opportunity. And today I think I did that."
The UAW's stance aligns with its broader political engagement, having endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris over Trump in the 2024 election. UAW President Shawn Fain has emerged as a vocal critic of Trump within organized labor, frequently denouncing him as a "scab" and "con man" accused of prioritizing wealthy elites over working-class Americans. Dickerson reinforced this perspective, arguing that Trump's reaction to Sabula revealed "what the president really thinks about working people." She praised Sabula's courage, noting, "It took a lot of courage for that worker ... to speak his mind to the most powerful person in the world, when the easy thing to do would have been to say nothing at all."
This case continues to resonate as a touchstone for discussions on free speech in the workplace, union advocacy, and the intersection of labor and politics in contemporary America.
