Statement on Congressman Andy Ogles

Congressman Andy Ogles appears to be attempting to distract constituents from his failure to deliver meaningful solutions on issues that Tennesseans care about—such as affordable healthcare and rising costs—by resorting to hateful rhetoric about Muslim Americans and immigrants. The use of bigoted and racially coded tropes is not only irresponsible, it echoes language that has historically been used to marginalize many communities, including African Americans.

It is also important to remember that our courts have already made clear that banning people from the United States on the basis of religion is unconstitutional. Efforts to revive such ideas are not serious policy proposals—they are political theater.

We know as the unpopular war with Iran escalates, Islamophobia will continue to increase.  You cannot wage war without dehumanizing your perceived enemy. Already Secretary of War Hegseth has used dangerous biblical narratives used by Christian Nationalist to justify the war, pitting the US against Muslims.  

Anti-Muslim rhetoric from the far right, Christian Nationalists, and MAGA supporters have been the norm for some time now. The question now is whether others across the political spectrum will stand up and speak out unequivocally against Islamophobia. Turning on your neighbor in times of crisis is not a religious value in any tradition.

If your understanding of Judeo-Christian values centers on upholding human dignity and human rights, then those values align closely with Islamic principles. However, if those values are invoked to justify a genocide or a war for profit, then we fundamentally differ in our understanding of what those values represent.

The broader anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant climate at the federal level has allowed bigotry to run rampant across the US. Regardless of political rhetoric, Tennessee is home to a vibrant and longstanding Muslim community who have lived, worked, and contributed to this state for generations. We were here long before Congressman Ogles was elected, and we will continue to be part of Tennessee long after his time in office.