Congressional Democrats—and even a number of Republicans—are torching Republican Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois for her racist social media submit attacking a Sikh spiritual chief who delivered Friday’s prayer on the Home flooring.
Within the now-deleted submit, Miller misidentified Giani Surinder Singh, who leads a Sikh congregation in New Jersey, as Muslim and claimed he ought to have “never been allowed” to present the prayer. She additionally declared that Congress ought to help the “truth” that “America was founded as a Christian nation,” based on screenshots shared by a number of shops.
Democrats wasted no time slamming Miller for her remarks.
“Mary, you’re a racist, bigoted, disgusting, and shameful person. You don’t deserve to represent anyone in public office,” mentioned Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Democrat of Florida.
“It’s deeply troubling that someone with such contempt for religious freedom is allowed to serve in this body,” added Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Democrat of New Jersey. “This should have never been allowed to happen.”
Democratic Rep. Jared Huffman of California additionally took a swing, writing: “I often say that I serve in Congress with some of the greatest minds of the 18th century. With Rep. Miller I may need to take it back a few more centuries.”
“What’s deeply disturbing is the blatant ignorance and anti-Sikh, anti-Muslim xenophobia coming from my colleague across the aisle,” mentioned Democratic Rep. Grace Meng of New York. “There is no place in our country, and especially the Halls of Congress, for this hate and intolerance. The tweet may have been deleted, but we still have the receipts.”
And Rep. Veronica Escobar, Democrat of Texas, reminded Miller what the Structure says: “Our country was founded on the Constitution—which happens to care enough about freedom of religion that it’s in the very first amendment. Not only is this racist, it dishonors the ‘founding document’ you referenced.”
Even some Republicans took subject with the submit.
Rep. David Valadao, Republican of California, mentioned he was “troubled” by Miller’s feedback. “Throughout the country—and in the Central Valley—Sikh-Americans are valued and respected members of our communities, yet they continue to face harassment and discrimination.”
GOP Rep. Mike Lawyer of New York additionally weighed in, saying, “While yes, we are a nation rooted in Judeo-Christian values and our laws reflect that, we are also a nation that recognizes we are all God’s children and whatever our differences, we can and should respect differences of faith.”
All the more severe for Miller, she omitted—or didn’t know—a key element: Singh wasn’t some left-wing plant. He was invited by a Republican, Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey.
Miller’s submit was deleted not lengthy after going up. She changed it with a equally worded submit correcting Singh’s faith. However then that submit was deleted as effectively. And she or he hasn’t supplied any additional clarification or apology. That silence speaks volumes.
This isn’t Miller’s first time drawing nationwide outrage.
Simply earlier than she was sworn in again in 2021, she mentioned at a rally, “Hitler was right on one thing. He said, ‘Whoever has the youth has the future.’” The occasion came about on Jan. 5, 2021, at some point earlier than the Capitol was stormed by Trump supporters.
In 2022, after Roe v. Wade was overturned, Miller referred to as the choice a “historic victory for white life.” Her workplace later claimed she misinterpret her ready remarks, however the phrase echoed rhetoric across the “great replacement theory,” a false conspiracy principle that claims lax immigration insurance policies are getting used to weaken white folks’s affect within the U.S.
This week, Miller launched a decision to declare June, which is nationally acknowledged as Delight Month, as “Family Month.” The hassle was cosponsored by 18 Home Republicans.
Miller’s social media submit wasn’t simply one other gaffe. It was a obvious reminder of the spiritual bigotry nonetheless tolerated in elements of the Republican Occasion.
