Republican Congressman Andy Ogles
sparked a major political backlash after posting a series of Islamophobic remarks on social media, including the statement “Muslims do not belong in American society.”
The Tennessee lawmaker, a member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, wrote the comments Monday on X, drawing sharp condemnation from Democrats.
In one post, Ogles shared footage of people he identified as from Somalia and Senegal, writing: “None of them belong here.
In another message, he posted a screenshot of a list of member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and wrote: “There are 57 Islamic countries in the world (not including the UK). If Muslims want to exercise their right and be an example of Muhammadan culture, that’s where they belong.”
Ogles also targeted Zohran Mamdani, the Muslim mayor of New York City, after an attempted bombing outside Mamdani’s residence during a protest against Islam.
“(The Justice Department) can deport him today. All they have to do is read his file,” Ogles wrote.
Democrats condemn the statements
Democratic leaders were quick to condemn the statements.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote: “Andy Ogles is a malignant clown and a pathological liar who made up his entire life story. Disgusting Islamophobes like you do not belong in Congress or civilized society.”
Katherine Clark added: “That disgusting piece of shit doesn’t belong in American society. And the Republicans who support him don’t belong in Congress.”
A bill to limit immigration from Muslim-majority countries
The controversy further escalated after Ogles announced plans to introduce legislation that would halt immigration from several countries with predominantly Muslim populations.
The proposed bill, titled the “Stopping Immigration from Countries with Insufficient Verification Capabilities Act,” would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to bar entry to individuals from Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen, citing concerns that authorities cannot reliably verify the identity or origin of travelers from those countries.
Ogles said the measure is intended to build on travel restrictions put in place by Donald Trump in 2017. “Mass Islamic immigration, legal or illegal, has transformed America with destructive consequences,” the Tennessee Republican said in a statement.
Under the proposal, the ban would also apply to individuals who had lived in the listed countries up to five years before applying to enter the United States, although U.S. citizens would be exempt.
Context: the Austin shooting
Ogles’ proposal comes days after a deadly shooting in Austin, Texas, that left at least three dead and more than a dozen injured.
Police said the suspect, Ndiaga Diagne, was killed after a confrontation with officers. Investigators have not confirmed a motive, although authorities said they found religious symbols and materials at the suspect’s residence.
The attack came one day after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran amid tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program.
