Republican Congressman Andy Ogles Declares Muslims Should Not Be in the United States
In a provocative social media post on Monday, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) asserted that Muslims do not belong in American society, explicitly stating, "Muslims don't belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie." This remark from the far-right conservative, known for his history of Islamophobic statements, appears to be a direct response to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's condemnation of an anti-Islam rally held outside his residence over the weekend.
Context of the Controversial Rally and Violence
The rally in question was organized by Jake Lang, a pardoned participant in the January 6 insurrection, and took place on Saturday. It quickly escalated into violence, leading to two men being taken into custody by law enforcement on Monday. Authorities are investigating whether these individuals brought explosives to the event and if they were inspired by an Islamic State extremist group. Mayor Mamdani, who is Muslim, denounced the gathering as rooted in "bigotry and racism" and labeled the presence of an explosive device, which fortunately did not detonate, as "reprehensible."
Ogles' Social Media Attacks and Broader Republican Islamophobia
Ogles' inflammatory comment was posted minutes after he targeted Mayor Mamdani in another social media post, suggesting that the Department of Justice could deport him by simply reviewing his file. It is important to note that Mamdani, born in Uganda, has been a U.S. citizen since 2018. When contacted for comment, Ogles' office did not respond, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also remained silent on the matter.
This incident is not isolated within the Republican Party. Other members have also expressed openly Islamophobic views:
- Last month, Rep. Randy Fine (Fla.) stated on social media, "If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one."
- Rep. Lauren Boebert (Colo.) has repeatedly made baseless and bigoted remarks about Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), comparing her to a terrorist and referring to her as part of the "jihad squad."
- Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene previously suggested that Muslims should not hold government positions.
- In 2025, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (Ala.) advocated for banning all Muslim immigrants.
These statements highlight a troubling pattern of Islamophobia among some Republican lawmakers, raising concerns about discrimination and the erosion of pluralistic values in American society.
