Tennessee GOP Rep says Muslims 'don't belong in American society'

NPR
by Barbara Sprunt
March 9, 2026
4 views
1 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

A Tennessee Republican Representative stated that Muslims "don't belong in American society."

AI Summary

Tennessee Republican Representative Andy Ogles stated that Muslims "don't belong in American society" in a recent social media post. This comment marks the latest in a series of Islamophobic statements attributed to House Republicans. The remarks have drawn scrutiny regarding their potential impact on interfaith relations and political discourse. Observers note a pattern of similar rhetoric from members of the Republican caucus. The statement's implications for minority communities and political representation remain a subject of ongoing discussion.

What's Being Done

Still monitoring this story for developments.

Source Coverage Map

6 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

14% coverage
Did Not Cover (37)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96AP Top News96+32 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Rep. Ogles sparks outrage after saying "Muslims don't belong in American society"
Civil Rights

Rep. Ogles sparks outrage after saying "Muslims don't belong in American society"

Tennessee Republican Rep. Andy Ogles sparked backlash after saying "Muslims don't belong in American society" on social media. CBS News' Caitlin Huey-Burns has the latest.

CBS NewsMar 11
"Awful f*cking idiot": Tensions erupt in Congress over Republicans' anti-Muslim posts
Civil Rights

"Awful f*cking idiot": Tensions erupt in Congress over Republicans' anti-Muslim posts

<p>Congressional Democrats and Republicans clashed furiously on social media Thursday night over blatantly <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/09/andy-ogles-muslim-post-democrats-republican-react" target="_blank">anti-Muslim posts</a> by right-wing House members and senators.</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>Republicans are growing more emboldened than ever in their expressions of unapologetic Islamophobia in recent weeks in response to a series of <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/12/gunfire-temple-israel-synagogue-suspect-dead" target="_blank">violent attacks on U.S. soil</a> amid the Iran war.</p><hr><ul><li>"We need more Islamophobia, not less. Fear of Islam is rational," Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) <a href="https://x.com/RepFine/status/2032230398009200896?s=20" target="_blank">posted</a> to X Thursday.</li><li>Said Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), <a href="https://x.com/SenTuberville/status/2032087973810901496?s=20" target="_blank">responding</a> to a post with side-b...

AxiosMar 13
GOP lawmaker says he’s leaving the Republican Party and will serve as an independent - AP News
Politics

GOP lawmaker says he’s leaving the Republican Party and will serve as an independent - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivAFBVV95cUxQVE1xeG5FTDFFMi1aSDFTVjYwQmV5bGhHdzVEZk02TFg2cThranpDNUdoN1RjOTEyYWNCLXFWbG53WlJsa0dSckVVaERrXzJmbVh1N3lOekVERGw4T3UtdnJQTU1HQ1ZfOGRrcWJDSzRaUUlDZWczeGQ2ckU4YkNEUTdBRzNHQVZITmkxU3VoRmVpd3NHdFI0Qjl3SFVRTzdEUUJFLV9taDZLd0lDUEJONGdLYlh5cmUtLUZhQg?oc=5" target="_blank">GOP lawmaker says he’s leaving the Republican Party and will serve as an independent</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 9
Anti-Muslim rhetoric rises among Republicans with little pushback from GOP leadership - AP News
Politics

Anti-Muslim rhetoric rises among Republicans with little pushback from GOP leadership - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxQd21pcFE3V1ktVGZRN0x4U1ZuTHEwYzhGYVhYQ1FXRFEtNmJxY3VJUk0xLW9pdTAtZGY4cGphNkpydHQwREUyaF9aZXlmbWtvYzdCbGhhRGNUSzhCNHJvb05SQm1FTjRlYTFIazFwakJiN1dhdm9RZDl3Zk5fekg3SGZlZXotUUZYN2JHdkFUeGZ1SzNTUWlRamtpaTV1X1paVlRVcVV2TDAxMFdESElhVjd1Ymxnd3I3Ync?oc=5" target="_blank">Anti-Muslim rhetoric rises among Republicans with little pushback from GOP leadership</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 14
Republicans eye second GOP-only megabill, but it faces uphill climb
Politics

Republicans eye second GOP-only megabill, but it faces uphill climb

DORAL, Fla. – House Republicans want to usher through a second massive spending package as the 2026 midterm elections ramp up, a tall order for a fractured GOP conference and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who commands a razor-thin majority. Republicans have been looking to strengthen their economic messaging amid voter concerns over rising grocery prices,…

The HillMar 11
Zelenskiy says US sought postponement of talks on war settlement, Ukrainian media reports - Reuters
Global

Zelenskiy says US sought postponement of talks on war settlement, Ukrainian media reports - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxQR21ZdXBYaEh1MEhxM3hQajJhRlJXSGd3Y1NRemhIdUY1SGhBQ3FhT2lYdm1oNjY2YVowSnpNTW91c3ZzQktUbWwtR1pWX3JrRkt4X011akttYllvX1NhbTR1dmhYTXhxa3JCTDBieDZvekxBd0xQSEdxcDRfSjZwUUl2cVFzYXdCUTUyY3NreTJQcE9lbXEwMlNrc3MySEJoSTZ5ZzdxY3U2aWZWcVJISkNiVQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Zelenskiy says US sought postponement of talks on war settlement, Ukrainian media reports</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 13
Read Next
Anti-ICE Protesters Convicted on Terrorism Charges for Wearing All Black
Civil Rights

Anti-ICE Protesters Convicted on Terrorism Charges for Wearing All Black

The government won on most of its charges, including convicting defendants for moving a box of radical zines. The post Anti-ICE Protesters Convicted on Terrorism Charges for Wearing All Black appeared first on The Intercept .

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources