In a statement that was initially supplied to HEADLINESFOREVER, all four Muslim Democratic House members condemned the “racist smears” directed against Zohran Mamdani by lawmakers of both parties following his victory in the New York City mayoral primary.
Our colleagues on both sides of the aisle have attacked Zohran Mamdani with hateful, anti-Muslim, and racist slurs, and we will not remain silent. “These racist, sexist, and Islamophobic tropes have become so normalized in our politics,” stated a joint statement by Representatives Andre Carson (IN), Rashida Tlaib (MI), Ilhan Omar (MN), and Lateefah Simon (CA).
“At a time when we are facing increased violence against elected officials, we cannot allow the attacks on Zohran Mamdani to continue,” the parliamentarians stated, pleading on political leaders to condemn the attacks.
Republican politicians have attacked Mamdani following his primary victory this week; he would become the first Muslim mayor of New York. Several conservative lawmakers have demanded his deportation, including Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee and Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who both linked him to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-N.Y.) remarks on Mamdani’s statements regarding Israel, which she has subsequently explained, also caused worry on the left.
Some of the democratic socialist’s remarks on Israel, particularly his advocacy of the slogan “globalize the intifada,” have been criticized as antisemitic; nevertheless, he has refuted these accusations.
In private conversations with Democratic leadership, Muslim legislators have asked for a stronger response from their party’s leadership in response to the GOP’s assaults. When asked by a reporter on Friday to address the comments made by Mace, Ogles, and others, Speaker Mike Johnson remained nothing.
In a video that went viral on Thursday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blasted Ogles, calling him a “fraud” and a “complete and total embarrassment.”