GOP lawmaker says Muslims 'don't belong' in US, draws harsh criticism

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: USA Today

Updated March 9, 2026, 3:47 p.m. ET


WASHINGTON – A Republican lawmaker from Tennessee made comments on social media quickly condemned as Islamophobic after two men were accused of trying to ignite homemade bombs in New York City, in what authorities said was being investigated as an "act of ISIS-inspired terrorism."

"Muslims don't belong in American society," Rep. Andy Ogles wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on March 9. "Pluralism is a lie."

Ogles, an ultra-conservative member of the Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives, posted the statement the same day the men were charged in the attempted bombing, which occurred on March 7. The accused were described by officials as counter-protesters at a "Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City," a rally organized by Jake Lang, a conservative influencer, outside the home of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Ogles' comments, made on the first day of House Republicans' annual week-long policy retreat in Doral, Florida, also came as the war in Iran rapidly intensifies. Muslim people around the world are also observing Ramadan, the annual holy month.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/03/09/andy-ogles-muslim-ramadan-islamophobia/89067453007/

[Skittles]

1. repukes are running out of bullshit "issues" to make up to rile their moronic base

now they are recycling old ones

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Ogles again . . . .

My brother is a convert to Islam. He's staying here and won't relinquish a single right. And he and I will defend all Muslims in this country.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Someone had to replace Steve King!

[OldBaldy1701E]

4. "...in what authorities said was being investigated as an "act of ISIS-inspired terrorism."

Yeah, because they refuse to admit where those idiots were really from.

And, I am betting it is a lot closer than the Middle East.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. "And, I am betting it is a lot closer than the Middle East."

The 2 teens were from the Philly 'burbs and were from Bucks County (one still in high school), where the whole county is in PA-1 (with Brian Fitzpatrick (R)) as the Rep.

More: https://www.inquirer.com/crime/nyc-protest-bomb-arrests-pennsylvania-men-20260308.html

And ironically the RW islamaphobic loon who was being protested against, is from Philly (although the former head of the Philly chapter of the Proud Boys - Zach Rehl - was from Philly (and had been one of the ones convicted of seditious conspiracy along with ilk like Tarrio, et al),

[OldBaldy1701E]

7. To someone with that 'Tennessee mindset'...

Being from Philly is just as bad, in his mind.

'Damned yankees!' and all that stupid shit.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. Probably couldn't find the city on a map

[OldBaldy1701E]

13. Hell, he would probably be shocked to find out just how close it is to Tennessee!

A twelve hour drive.

A two hour flight.

He would lose his mind (what little there is of it)!

[LunaSea]

5. Idiots don't belong in Congress Andy,

But there you are.

[Scalded Nun]

9. No one int he GOP belongs in this country, but hey, like herpes we just cannot get rid of you

[LeftInTX]

10. We're going through that in Texas.

Apparently, the Muslim community in the Dallas are is trying to establish their own "master-planned community"

EPIC City/The Meadow Project: Planned by the East Plano Islamic Center as a 402-acre, faith-based, mixed-use community near Josephine, Texas, which aims to provide homes, a school, and a mosque.

Controversy and Investigations: The project has faced intense scrutiny, including investigations by the Texas Attorney General's Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Department of Justice regarding allegations of discriminatory housing practices and, in some cases, claims of attempting to establish "Sharia law".

Defense & Response: Organizers and attorneys for the project deny allegations of discrimination, stating the development is open to all, complies with state/federal laws, and is not exclusive.

Political Response: The project has led to state-level political opposition, including new legislation (HB 4211) aimed at prohibiting, in some interpretations, such community structures

Despite the legal and political challenges surrounding the EPIC City development, the Muslim community in the Dallas area remains an active, well-established, and significant part of the regional population.

AI summary because I'm too lazy to hunt down and summarize numerous news articles.

During the GOP primary, OMG "Sharia law is coming to Texas"..."Muslims don't belong in the US. They're bringing Sharia law" on and on...

Then John Cornyn's online polls and some of the local medias online polls, "Should Sharia Law be allowed in Texas?"

Qadhi said the proposed EPIC City will not be exclusive to Muslim residents.

"It's an open community," Qadhi said. "Anybody can come in. We're welcoming people of all backgrounds and diversity and we're offering them facilities that we think would be very, very useful."
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/22/g-s1-68560/proposed-muslim-development-in-texas-brings-inquiries-by-doj-and-state-officials

Feds launch fair housing probe into North Texas development marketed to Muslims
The Department of Justice opened its now-closed investigation into the center in May at the request of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Opposition to Islam has become a key campaign pillar for some state Republicans on the March 3 GOP primary ballot.

https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/13/epic-hud-north-texas-islam-muslim-housing-development/

I don't know all the legalities, but we did have that Warren Jeffs thing.
As long as non-Muslims can purchase property in the community, I don't think it's violating any laws.
I think some churches have also done this without alot of fan-fare.

[Jilly_in_VA]

11. Muslims have been in the US

since before it was the US! Many were brought here as SLAVES, you lunking idiot! And there were probably some others who came here of their own free will, just as Jews did in colonial times. So STFU, OGLES, until you can get a brain transplant.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

12. MaddowBlog-As too many Republicans push anti-Muslim messaging, GOP leaders remain silent

It would be easy for any party leader to issue a perfunctory statement saying Republicans are against religious bigotry. That hasn’t happened.

As a growing number of Republican officials push anti-Muslim messages, it’d be easy for a GOP leader to issue a perfunctory statement saying the party is against religious bigotry.

But that hasn’t happened — which speaks volumes.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-03-10T13:45:52.813Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/as-too-many-republicans-push-anti-muslim-messaging-gop-leaders-remain-silent

Though it might seem like ages ago, as recently as November 2024, Republican candidates actually made gains with Arab and Muslim voters. A year and a half later, there’s a reason the organization that used to be Arab Americans for Trump decided to change its name.

On Monday, for example, Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee published a message to social media that argued, “Muslims don’t belong in American society.” A day earlier, Republican Rep. Randy Fine of Florida, whose track record of peddling Islamophobic rhetoric was already well established, wrote that Americans should “be afraid of Islam” and that Muslims should be expelled from the country.....

Democratic leaders have been quick to condemn the ugly and hateful partisan trend, but GOP leaders have failed entirely to do the same. In the aftermath of Ogles’ online statement, HuffPost reported:

Ogles’ office did not respond to a request for comment. Neither did Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), nor any of his top lieutenants: Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Republican Policy Committee Chair Kevin Hern (R-Okla.).

GOP officials appear to be sending an unmistakable signal: In the contemporary Republican Party, anti-Muslim attitudes are, at a minimum, tolerated, if not encouraged. It would be easy for any party leader to issue a perfunctory statement saying Republicans are against religious bigotry, and the fact that this hasn’t happened speaks volumes.

The Bulwark’s Joe Perticone recently wrote, “Almost a decade removed from President Donald Trump’s attempt to ban Muslims from entering the country during his first term — a vile passion project that has been given new life in his second presidency — a growing number of House and Senate Republicans are taking Islamophobia to a new level, actively calling for discrimination against Muslims and even arguing that some should be denaturalized and deported from the United States.”

[electric_blue68]

14. Effin' bigot! Stfu!

Even W chastised people who casted blame on all Muslims.