US congressman faces backlash over Islamophobic remarks on social media

Washington: Republican Congressman Andy Ogles from Tennessee has come under criticism after posting Islamophobic comments on social media, according to reports by NBC News and NPR. The statements have drawn condemnation from fellow lawmakers and Muslim advocacy groups.

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Ogles wrote, “Pluralism is a lie, Muslims don’t belong in American society.” Ogles, who is affiliated with the hard-right Freedom Caucus, has previously advocated for a “Muslim ban” and has indicated plans to introduce legislation that would prohibit entry to the United States from several Muslim-majority countries.

In a separate post on February 17, 2026, Ogles stated, “No more public displays of Islam please. It is not American.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has responded to these developments by highlighting a surge in Islamophobia in the United States. According to CAIR, record high levels of anti-Muslim sentiment in 2025 were driven in part by former President Donald Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests and stricter immigration policies. CAIR noted that Islamophobia reached its highest recorded levels in 2023, attributing this trend to actions taken by the Trump administration.

The recent remarks by Ogles have intensified concerns among Muslim groups and civil rights organizations, who argue that such rhetoric contributes to a hostile environment for Muslim Americans. Lawmakers from both parties have also voiced their disapproval of Ogles’ statements, with many calling for greater accountability and efforts to combat hate speech.

Ogles’ comments are the latest in a series of incidents involving US lawmakers making controversial statements about Islam and Muslim communities, prompting renewed calls for political leaders to denounce Islamophobia and promote inclusivity.