See President Trump’s senior administration memorializes soldiers killed in Iran war
President Trump joined top officials in Dover for the dignified transfer of six U.S. soldiers killed in an Iranian drone attack.
WASHINGTON – After two men were accused of trying to ignite a homemade bomb in New York City, a Republican lawmaker from Tennessee made comments on social media that were immediately condemned as Islamophobic and authorities announced they were investigating the incident as an “act of ISIS-inspired terrorism.”
On March 9, Congressman Andy Ogles wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that “Muslims do not belong in American society” and “Pluralism is a lie.”
Ogles, an ultra-conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus, posted the statement on the same day the men were indicted in connection with the March 7 bombing attempt.
Officials said the defendants were protesters at the “Stop Islamic Takeover of New York City” rally organized by conservative influencer Jake Lang in front of the home of New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani.
Ogles’ comments came on the first day of House Republicans’ annual week-long policy retreat in Doral, Florida, and also come as the Iran war rapidly escalates. Muslims around the world also observe the annual holy month of Ramadan.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a group focused on civil rights for Muslim Americans, immediately condemned the congressman’s comments.
“If a member of Congress declares that ‘Jews do not belong in America,’ that politician will rightly face condemnation, censure, and even expulsion,” CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said in a statement to USA TODAY.
“Yet, even as Muslim members of Congress in the United States face censure motions, threats, and harassment for daring to criticize Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, anti-Muslim extremists in Congress like Randy Fine and Andy Ogles have faced no retaliation for their dangerous comments,” he said, adding that “double standards and hypocrisy must end.”
Mr. Ogles had previously called for Mr. Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor, to be stripped of his citizenship and deported. In another social media post in June 2025, Mr. Ogles referred to then-candidate Mr. Mamdani as “little Muhammad.”
Mr. Ogles has also openly stated that even though the United States was founded on secular ideals such as the separation of church and state, the United States must become a “Christian nation.” The U.S. Constitution guarantees religious freedom.
The Tennessean is not the only Republican to attack the more than 4 million Muslims living in the United States. In particular, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) previously claimed that “Muslim immigrants are bringing World War III to American soil.”
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Ogles’ latest post.
Zachary Schermele is a Congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and on Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social..
