Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) said Muslims “don’t belong” in the United States after two pro-Islam counterprotesters threw improvised explosive devices at right-wing protesters gathered in New York City over the weekend.
“Muslims don’t belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie,” Ogles wrote on X on Monday.
The brief statement was followed by another post in which the GOP congressman called on the Justice Department to deport Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor elected in New York City.
Ogles previously suggested the idea of denaturalizing and deporting Mamdani, who was born to Indian parents in Uganda before becoming a U.S. citizen, during the socialist’s campaign last fall. The demand did not come to fruition, however.
The House Republican pointed to Mamdani’s support for five people tied to the Holy Land Foundation, an Islamic charity that provided material support to Hamas. The individuals were convicted in 2008.
Ogles has a history of making Islamophobic statements. After Mamdani won the mayoral election in November, the congressman told New Yorkers to “wake up” in a social media post featuring a video of the World Trade Center burning in the 9/11 terrorist attack.
The lawmaker is currently pushing a bill to ban the entry of immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries and other foreign adversaries of the United States. If passed, the legislation would target Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. It includes an exception for U.S. citizens.
In a subsequent post on Monday, Ogles said Muslims who “want to practice their law and exemplify Muhammadan culture” should stay in one of 57 Islamic countries around the world.
The Washington Examiner contacted the congressman’s press office for further comment on his latest statements.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) denounced Ogles for suggesting all Muslims don’t belong in the U.S.
“Andy Ogles is a malignant clown and pathological liar who has fabricated his whole life story,” Jeffries wrote on X. “Disgusting Islamophobes like you do not belong in Congress or in civilized society. And that’s why House Democrats will defeat you in November.”
On Saturday, two men — identified as Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi — were arrested for hurling makeshift bombs at anti-Islam protesters amid dueling demonstrations outside the mayor’s residence. There were no reported injuries, but NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the devices could have caused “serious injury or death.”
The FBI and NYPD are investigating the suspects for committing an Islamic State group-inspired act of terrorism. They were charged with attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction, according to the criminal complaint.
Mamdani described the anti-Islam protest as “vile” and “rooted in white supremacy,” although he noted his support for the right to protest regardless of his personal opinion toward a particular demonstration.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE MAKESHIFT BOMBS THROWN AT ANTI-ISLAM PROTESTERS IN NYC
In comparison, Mamdani was less harsh in his rhetoric toward the two alleged ISIS sympathizers. He did not identify either of the suspects in his first statement on the attack, but he did name right-wing influencer Jake Lang as the person responsible for the anti-Islam rally.
The mayor and his wife were not at Gracie Mansion at the time of the incident.
