Khaberni - Republican congressman from Tennessee, Andy Ogles, caused angry reactions in Congress after his statements that "Muslims do not belong to American society," in a new escalation of anti-Islam rhetoric.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (Democrat from New York) described Ogles as a "sinister clown" and "pathological liar who fabricated his entire life story," referring to reports about embellishing his biography.
Deputy Minority Leader Katherine Clark (Democrat from Massachusetts) said, "This disgusting nonsense does not belong in American society. And the Republicans who support it do not belong in Congress."
Representative Debbie Dingell (Democrat from Michigan) urged her Republican colleagues to "condemn this immediately," considering the statement "far from the American spirit."
Centrist Republican Congressman Don Bacon (Nebraska) criticized Ogles' statements, telling "Axios," "The constitution says there can be no religious test for citizenship."
Ogles responded in another post, referring to terrorist incidents, saying: "A Muslim shot and killed three Americans in Texas. Two Muslims tried to bomb New York City," and added that anti-terrorism programs are unfunded because of the Democrats.
This statement comes a month after Representative Randy Fine (Republican from Florida) stirred controversy by stating that "the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a hard choice."
Democrats consider Ogles a main target in the midterm elections, hoping his propensity for scandals will help them flip the Republican seat.
Jeffries wrote, threatening: "Disgusting Islamophobes like you do not belong in Congress. And this is why Democrats in the House will defeat you in November."
