Rep. Mary Miller ― a Republican from Illinois who as soon as praised Adolf Hitler ― wrote, edited and finally deleted a social media publish decrying “a Muslim” talking in Congress.
“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,” she wrote Friday. “American was founded as a Christian nation, and I believe our government should reflect that truth. May God have mercy!”
The person main the prayer was visitor chaplain Giani Singh, a follower of the Sikh religion, not Islam. Miller’s Republican colleague Rep. Jeff Van Drew (N.J.) launched him as such on Friday.
“Day after day, year after year, he leads not just with words. but with example ― with peace, with humility, with service towards all,” Van Drew mentioned. “These are not just Sikh values, they are American values.”
He famous that Singh was serving as visitor chaplain on the 81st anniversary of D-Day, when “Sikh soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder with allied forces” on the seashores of Normandy in 1944.
Miller finally edited her publish to vary “a Muslim” to “a Sikh” however left the remainder of her racist publish untouched. Lastly, she deleted it altogether.
A spokesperson for Miller didn’t instantly reply to HuffPost’s inquiries in regards to the publish or her choice to delete it.
Her fellow lawmakers, nonetheless, had been fast to reply. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) mirrored Miller’s publish again to her with just a few tweaks.
“It’s deeply troubling that someone with such contempt for religious freedom is allowed to serve in this body,” she wrote. “This should have never been allowed to happen. America was founded as free nation, and I believe the conduct of its legislators should reflect that truth, not drift further from it.”
Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) was equally appalled.
“What’s deeply disturbing is the blatant ignorance and anti-Sikh, anti-Muslim xenophobia coming from my colleague across the aisle,” she wrote. “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.”
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, which Meng chairs, additionally referred to as out Miller’s ignorance about Sikhism, which has greater than 24 million followers and constitutes one of many largest religions on this planet.
“Sikhs and Muslims practice two separate and distinct religions, and conflating the two based on how someone looks is not only ignorant but also racist,” wrote the caucus in a publish on X. “America was founded on the principle of religious freedom. It is disgraceful that someone who has such disdain for our nation’s values can serve in the halls of Congress.”
Miller famously tipped her hat to Hitler shortly after being elected to Congress in 2020.
“Hitler was right on one thing,” she mentioned at an occasion held by conservative group Mothers for America. “He said, ’Whoever has the youth has the future.’”
Arthur Delaney contributed reporting.
