In a striking moment during Tuesday’s State Department press briefing, U.S. spokesperson Tammy Bruce brought up the arrest warrant issued by a Bangladeshi court for British MP Tulip Siddiq — niece of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina — despite no related question being posed.
Her unprompted reference to the case, despite no related question being posed, sparked speculation about Washington’s growing awareness of judicial actions tied to political shifts under Bangladesh’s interim administration.
“There’s been an arrest of a UK MP, Tulip Siddiq. This is from the Bangladeshi courts… all of this… are a matter for the Bangladesh authorities to handle,” Bruce said, in a carefully measured tone.
This marks the first time a senior U.S. official has publicly acknowledged Siddiq’s case, which the Labour MP has categorically dismissed as a “politically motivated smear campaign.”
The charges relate to the alleged illegal allotment of a government plot during her aunt’s tenure, which Siddiq claims is fabricated to intimidate her from abroad.
Observers say the timing and spontaneity of Bruce’s comment is significant.
One analyst noted: There was no question about Tulip Siddiq. The briefing focused on the alleged rise of extremism in Bangladesh. Yet, Bruce pivoted on her own and said, ‘What I do have is something I want to mention regarding Bangladesh, which is that there’s been an arrest of a UK MP, Tulip Siddiq.’
As she continued — “All of this and what you’re discussing, even protests, et cetera, are a matter for the Bangladesh authorities to handle… the future of Bangladesh is going to be decided by the Bangladeshi people” — the analyst pointed out that Bruce appeared to distance the U.S. from interfering, while still signaling awareness.
However, some interpret the State Department’s move differently.
“The fact that she raised Siddiq’s arrest warrant without being asked suggests the issue has crossed a threshold of international concern,” said another observer.
While no formal criticism was issued, he said, the quiet spotlight may be a diplomatic signal of unease over the use of judicial tools in post-regime political reprisals.