Miller’s office has not responded to a request for comment on her post.
Miller later edited the post to replace “Muslim” with “Sikh,” then deleted it altogether.
What they’re saying: The House Republican who spoke to Axios said Miller’s comments make her look “darn ignorant.”
“I’m deeply disappointed by Rep. Mary Miller’s comments,” Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), who has previously sponsored Singh as a guest chaplain, said in a statement to Axios.
The Congressional Asian Pacific Islander Caucus condemned “Rep. Miller’s anti-Sikh and anti-Muslim bigotry,” calling her post “disgraceful.”
Rep. R-Ill. Mary Miller. is receiving criticism from colleagues in both parties for claiming that a Sikh man should have “never been allowed” to deliver the House’s morning prayer and misidentifying him as Muslim.
Why it matters Miller, a right-wing hardliner who has developed a reputation for making divisive remarks, is causing even some Republicans to express disgust.
“People should think before they talk or type,” a House Republican said, speaking anonymously to express opinions about a fellow Republican.
A request for comment on Miller’s post has not received a response from her office.
What transpired: Miller wrote in a since-deleted post on X that it was “deeply troubling a Muslim was allowed to lead prayer in the House of Representatives this morning” following the delivery of the daily prayer by Giani Singh, a Sikh granthi from Southern New Jersey. “.”.
Her statement, “This should have never been allowed to happen,” was incorrect; the U.S. A. “Our government should reflect that truth” and that the country was “founded as a Christian nation.”. “.
In the post, Miller changed the word “Muslim” to “Sikh,” and then removed it completely.
What they’re saying: According to the House Republican who talked to Axios, Miller comes across as “darn ignorant” because of her remarks. “..”.
Rep. LaLota Nick (R-N. Y. wrote on X that “a Sikh prayer on the House floor dot.”. doesn’t go against the Constitution, hurt my Catholic faith, or stop me from supporting Israel,” he continued. “.
“Rep. has greatly disappointed me. Rep. Mary Miller’s remarks. Donald Norcross (D-N. The J. expressed in a statement to Axios that Singh had previously been sponsored as a guest chaplain.
The Asian Pacific Islander Congressional Caucus denounced “Rep. Miller’s post was deemed “disgraceful” due to her anti-Muslim and anti-Sikh prejudice. “.”.
Zoom in: Representative. Van Drew Jeff (R-N. J. “As a Catholic, I take my faith seriously and I also believe part of being American is respecting other people’s faiths too,” Singh said in a statement to Axios after inviting Singh to lead the prayer. “,”.
This morning, I had the honor of inviting a Sikh chaplain to lead prayer to open the House. Whatever our religion, we should all value the Sikh community’s values of peace, charity, and a strong commitment to family and service,” he said.
“The ability to respect various traditions while remaining loyal to our own is what makes America unique. That type of respect for one another is something I will always support. “.”.
Checking in with reality: The U. S. . was not formally established as a Christian nation, and religious freedom is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Additionally, “no religious Test shall ever be required” in order to hold public office, according to Article VI of the Constitution.
Zoom out: Miller has previously been involved in incidents involving controversy.
In 2021, she stated, “Hitler was correct about one thing. He declared, “The future belongs to whoever has the youth.”. Later, she expressed regret for the comment.
According to her, Roe v. Her office later asserted that the 2022 overturning of Wade was a “victory for white life,” citing a misinterpretation of her prepared remarks.
Editor’s note: The spelling of “Granthi” has been fixed in this story.
