Republican lawmaker rips WNBA’s ‘thug treatment’ of Caitlin Clark after latest on-court controversy

The latest on-court onslaught connected Caitlin Clark mightiness conscionable beryllium the biggest yet -- and perchance the constituent wherever a enactment was yet drawn.

The Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas shoved her fist into the constituent guard’s cervix earlier stepping implicit her connected the ground, and the play initially went uncalled -- a reappraisal of the play resulted successful a Flagrant 2 and a one-game suspension.

But the foul caught the ire of Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), who said Clark gets the "thug treatment" successful the WNBA and called it "pathetic."

OUTKICK SPORTS CARTOON OF THE DAY: THE LATEST ATTACK ON CAITLIN CLARK

Rep. Tim Burchett speaks to reporters aft a closed briefing by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche astatine the House Oversight Committee successful Washington, D.C., connected March 18, 2026. (Getty Images)

"I deliberation it's trashy. She gets the crap kicked retired of her. The WNBA has an accidental for women to instrumentality it to the adjacent level, and she's being conscionable abused..." Burchett told TMZ Sports.

"It is expected to beryllium a carnal crippled -- it's not expected to beryllium a wrestling match. Take it to the pro wrestling association."

Phoenix Mercury guardant Alyssa Thomas scrambles to get up implicit Indiana Fever defender Caitlin Clark during a crippled astatine Gainbridge Fieldhouse successful Indianapolis connected June 24, 2026. The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever 111-109. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Burchett besides said that "something's up" regarding Clark not being connected a promotional poster for the WNBA's 30th anniversary, contempt Clark's games resulting successful record-breaking attendance and viewership.

"I deliberation something's up, I deliberation everybody knows what's up. And they're going to lose," Burchett said, earlier making a bold prediction.

"Some European league is going to propulsion her successful and they'll wage her and she'll propulsion retired and they'll each beryllium backmost flying coach."

The Mercury adjacent posted a societal media connection that seemed to mock the play connected Clark, including a cartoon subordinate lying connected the level with the caption, "DE-WANNA PIECE OF THIS?!?"

The WNBA suspended Phoenix Mercury guardant Alyssa Thomas for committing a Flagrant 2 foul against Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The station appeared to beryllium a play connected DeWanna Bonner’s name. Bonner, of course, is present with the Mercury aft a little stint with the Fever past season, and the 2 teams person already had plentifulness of hostility this week.

OutKick's Dan Zaksheske contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.