ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Indian Americans flay GOP lawmaker’s anti Muslim tweet
They denounced Rep. Andy Ogles' remarks as un-American bigotry and as violating First Amendment principles.
-
1759163132.png)
Anushka Pathak - Wed, 11, Mar 2026
- 13:06 EDT
- 22
Republican Rep. Andy Ogles / Courtesy: X/@RepOgles
Indian Americans have condemned Republican Rep. Andy Ogles after he declared on social media that “Muslims don't belong in American society” following the thwarted ISIS-inspired attack in New York.
Shri Thanedar, who represents Michigan's 13th Congressional District, responded by underlining the deep historical roots of Muslims in America and the country's commitment to religious diversity.
ALSO READ: Subramanyam introduces bill to boost Medicaid allowance
The Democrat wrote, “Muslims have been in America since the 1600s. Freedom of religion is in the First Amendment for a reason. 'E Pluribus Unum' has been our motto since 1782. Perhaps your values don't belong in American society.”
California Democrat Ami Bera labeled Ogles' statement “vile and un-American.” “The First Amendment protects freedom of religion—including for our Muslim neighbors, friends, and fellow Americans. Republicans must condemn this pure and unbridled bigotry,” he said.
Pramila Jayapal, who represents Washington's 7th Congressional District, labeled the rhetoric unacceptable and far worse than disgusting. She wrote, "Disgusting is not a strong enough word to describe how absolutely vile this is. This rhetoric is un-American and has no place in this country.”
Journalist Mehdi Hasan highlighted what he saw as a clear double standard in political consequences. He stated if a sitting member of Congress tweeted, ‘Jews don't belong in American society,’ it would end their career and be the biggest story in America. “But Ogles can say this about Muslims without any censure,” he added.
The original post by Ogles triggered immediate pushback focused on constitutional religious protections, historical pluralism, and equal application of free-speech norms across religious groups.
Dear progressives and third-world neoliberals,
— Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepOgles) March 11, 2026
Do not lecture me on anything First Amendment when you are actively disobeying the Second to disarm us, the Fourteenth to protect anchor babies, and the Fourth by resurrecting warrantless surveillance through FISA and spying on…
Ogles later rejected all the criticisms in a follow-up tweet. He refused to accept lectures on the First Amendment, accusing the same people of "actively disobeying" other parts of the Constitution, and listed alleged Democratic breaches of the “Second Amendment to disarm us, the Fourteenth to protect anchor babies,” and also the “Fourth by resurrecting warrantless surveillance through FISA and spying on nearly every influential conservative through the DOJ.”
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login