GOP lawmaker says Muslims 'don't belong' in US, draws harsh criticism [View all]

Source: USA Today

Updated March 9, 2026, 3:47 p.m. ET


WASHINGTON – A Republican lawmaker from Tennessee made comments on social media quickly condemned as Islamophobic after two men were accused of trying to ignite homemade bombs in New York City, in what authorities said was being investigated as an "act of ISIS-inspired terrorism."

"Muslims don't belong in American society," Rep. Andy Ogles wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on March 9. "Pluralism is a lie."

Ogles, an ultra-conservative member of the Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives, posted the statement the same day the men were charged in the attempted bombing, which occurred on March 7. The accused were described by officials as counter-protesters at a "Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City," a rally organized by Jake Lang, a conservative influencer, outside the home of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Ogles' comments, made on the first day of House Republicans' annual week-long policy retreat in Doral, Florida, also came as the war in Iran rapidly intensifies. Muslim people around the world are also observing Ramadan, the annual holy month.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/03/09/andy-ogles-muslim-ramadan-islamophobia/89067453007/