Tennessee Congressman's Anti-Muslim Comments Spark Outrage

Representative Andy Ogles' remarks sow division and highlight growing Islamophobia in the GOP.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:09pm

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Representative Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, has faced backlash for making anti-Muslim comments on social media, stating that "Muslims don't belong in American society" and that "pluralism is a lie." His remarks have underscored a growing trend of Islamophobic statements from elected Republicans, with little pushback from party leaders. Muslim advocates fear the rhetoric will escalate due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, echoing a similar surge in anti-Muslim sentiment after 9/11.

Why it matters

Ogles' comments reflect a broader shift within the Republican Party, where Islamophobic language from elected officials has become increasingly normalized with little condemnation from party leadership. This trend threatens to further marginalize and alienate Muslim Americans, undermining religious freedom and social cohesion.

The details

Ogles, who represents a district with a sizable Muslim population, has faced calls to resign from local Muslim officials and allies. His comments come amid a rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric from other Republican lawmakers, such as Representative Randy Fine of Florida, who said "the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one." Despite the backlash, Republican leaders in Congress have largely remained silent or validated the Islamophobic statements.

  • Earlier this month, Ogles made his anti-Muslim comments on social media.
  • Just weeks prior, Representative Randy Fine made similar remarks about preferring dogs over Muslims.

The players

Representative Andy Ogles

A Republican congressman from Tennessee who has made a series of anti-Muslim comments, including stating that "Muslims don't belong in American society" and that "pluralism is a lie."

Representative Randy Fine

A Republican congressman from Florida who said that "if they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one."

Speaker Mike Johnson

The Republican leader in the House of Representatives who did not condemn Ogles' remarks, instead saying there is "a lot of popular sentiment that the demand to impose Sharia law in America is a serious problem."

Councilwoman Zulfat Suara

The lone elected Muslim official on the Nashville city council, who condemned Ogles' comments, stating that "when words like that come from a member of Congress, they don't just disappear into thin air."

Sabina Mohyuddin

The executive director of the American Muslim Advisory Council and a Nashville native, who said "What does it mean for our community that every so often we have to keep proving that we belong?"

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What they’re saying

“When words like that come from a member of Congress, they don't just disappear into thin air. They land on people's lives.”

— Zulfat Suara, Councilwoman

“If it is considered anti-Islam to say that Americans shouldn't have to change how we live because of immigrants who want to come here, then I guess it's true.”

— Randy Fine, Representative

“Painting everyone with the same brush — I think it's unfair. The language has made so many people disappointed.”

— Tabeer Taabur, President, Tennessee Kurdish Community Council

What’s next

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The takeaway

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