On March 10, Republican U.S. Representative Andy Ogles responded to backlash by standing by his earlier social media statement that "Muslims don’t belong in American society," a remark that has drawn widespread condemnation and led the Muslim advocacy group the Council on American-Islamic Relations to label him "an anti-Muslim extremist."
Ogles first posted the line "Muslims don’t belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie" on X on Monday. He then doubled down the following day, urging the removal of Muslims from the country with the comment: "Muslims are unable to assimilate; they all have to go back."
The remarks prompted strong rebukes from prominent Democrats. California Governor Gavin Newsom and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries both characterized the comments as "disgusting" and Islamophobic.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), an organization that tracks and documents anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias in the United States, said it had designated Ogles as "an anti-Muslim extremist" following his social media posts.
Responses to the episode have recalled recurring sources of anti-Muslim sentiment. Rights advocates routinely point to the September 11, 2001 attacks as a root of Islamophobia in the U.S., and more recently they have linked it to anti-immigration sentiment, white supremacy, and the fallout from Israel's war in Gaza.
Muslim advocacy organizations have previously criticized other Republican lawmakers for anti-Muslim statements, citing past instances involving figures such as Representative Randy Fine. Those groups have also voiced opposition to enforcement actions and policy moves they associate with the previous Republican presidential administration, including a crackdown on immigration and responses to pro-Palestinian protests.
Asked about Ogles' remarks, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to condemn them when speaking to reporters on Tuesday.
Context and reactions
- Direct quotes: Ogles posted "Muslims don’t belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie," and later wrote "Muslims are unable to assimilate; they all have to go back."
- Advocacy group action: CAIR designated him as "an anti-Muslim extremist."
- Political response: Top Democrats described the remarks as "disgusting" and Islamophobic, while the Republican House Speaker declined to issue a condemnation.
The episode adds to an ongoing set of tensions in U.S. public life surrounding religion, immigration and political rhetoric.