'Notorious bigot': GOP lawmaker under fire for now-deleted anti-Muslim comment
Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) unleashed on her colleagues for allowing a "Muslim prayer" at the start of the Friday session. After backlash and fact-checks, she's since deleted the X post about it.
Each day begins with a flag salute and prayer, usually from a faith leader from the district of the member who chooses it. On Friday, Sikh Society leader, Giani Surinder Singh, was welcomed by Miller's GOP colleague, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ). Sikhs are not Muslim.
He called on "universal creator god," which he noted is called "many names." He asked that God keep his "divine hand" over the members of Congress as the work for the future of a "great nation." He asked God to help "keep love in our heart and sound judgement in our minds" as they work to "create a more peaceful world."
"It's deeply troubling that a Muslim was allowed to lead prayer in the House of Representatives this morning. This should have never been allowed to happen. America was founded as a Christian nation, and I believe our government should reflect that truth, not drift further from it," Miller sad on X. "May God have mercy!"
She then edited the post to change him from a Muslim to a Sikh, but kept the rest of the message.
According to the Sikh Coalition website, "Sikhs believe that people of all faiths worship one Divine Being who created this world and lives within it." They also prioritize community service and hard work.
Politico's Nicholas Wu followed the changes as they were made in real time on X.
Replies were mixed between conservatives who believed the post and those pointing out her numerous errors, "racism" and "xenophobia."
"Posted - and then deleted - this morning. 514 days until the midterms," remarked former Justice Department appointee Andrew Weinstein.
"Illinois Congresswoman and notorious bigot Mary Miller posted an Islamophobic tweet this morning, realized she had made a mistake, and then posted an anti-Sikh tweet. She has since deleted the anti-Sikh tweet," said journalist Yashar Ali on Bluesky.
See the screen capture of the tweet here.
Watch the full prayer below or at the link.
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