WASHINGTON –– Three Democrats in Congress are calling out Republicans for “hate speech” against Muslim Americans.
Congressman Andre Carson of Indiana says Islamophobia is an “epidemic” within the Republican Party and that that sentiment was reinforced by comments made by Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado.
“This cannot be a place where members endure hateful and prejudiced attacks from their co-workers because of their faith,” Carson said in a press conference. “That’s exactly what’s happening today.”
Boebert is recently said to have made a joke with Rep. Illhan Omar, who is Muslim, in an elevator saying: “at least she doesn’t have a backpack right?”
Carson says he, Omar, and Rep. Rashida Talib of Michigan are calling on Boebert and other Republicans to face consequences for hate words against Muslims.
“This is about calling out individuals who deliberately incite violence and responsibly spread lies and misinformation,” Carson added.
“So when a sitting member of Congress calls a colleague a member of the ‘Jihad Squad’ and … falsifies story to suggest that I will blow up the Capitol, it is not just an attack on me, but on millions of American Muslims across this country,” said Omar.
Boebert has faced backlash from both parties and apologized for the comment. The two are said to have had a phone conversation about the incident that both say went poorly and ended with Omar hanging up the phone in disgust.
