Democrats Condemn GOP Lawmakers’ Anti‑Muslim Posts and Float Censure After Tuberville ‘Enemy Is Inside the Gates’ Remark About NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani
Democrats sharply condemned a wave of anti‑Muslim posts from GOP officials — including Rep. Randy Fine’s “We need more Islamophobia, not less,” Rep. Andy Ogles’ query about whether any country is “freer and safer because Muslims moved there,” Rep. Brandon Gill’s call for “mass remigration,” and Rep. Riley Moore’s proposal to denaturalize certain naturalized citizens — and urged Speaker Mike Johnson to reprimand offenders, strip assignments and even floated a House censure. Separately, Sen. Tommy Tuberville drew backlash for sharing an End Wokeness post juxtaposing a 9/11 photo with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and saying “the enemy is inside the gates,” later calling “Radical Islam” a “CULT”; Mamdani pushed back on X while leaders including Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Ed Markey denounced the remarks as racist and Islamophobic.
📌 Key Facts
- Several House Republicans posted explicitly anti‑Muslim content: Rep. Randy Fine tweeted “We need more Islamophobia, not less. Fear of Islam is rational,” doubling down on an earlier dogs‑vs‑Muslims post; Rep. Andy Ogles asked “Name one country that is freer and safer because Muslims moved there” and separately urged repealing the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act (Hart‑Celler); and Rep. Brandon Gill called for “mass remigration” and posted “No more Muslims immigrating to America.”
- Rep. Riley Moore (R‑W.Va.) announced plans to introduce legislation to denaturalize and deport any naturalized citizen who commits or plots terrorism or aids terrorist organizations.
- Axios noted the timing of the Republicans’ posts coincided with same‑day attacks at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and at Old Dominion University in Virginia — incidents Axios tied to a Lebanese‑born naturalized U.S. citizen and a previously convicted ISIS supporter.
- Sen. Tommy Tuberville posted “enemy is inside the gates” while sharing an End Wokeness X post that juxtaposed a 9/11 Twin Towers photo with an image of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a Ramadan Iftar; Fox reported Tuberville had also used the phrase on Dec. 31 in reaction to a New York Times headline about Mamdani being sworn in on a Quran.
- Tuberville followed up with an extended post labeling “Radical Islam” a “CULT,” asserting that under “Sharia Law” non‑Muslims are “the ENEMY,” and declaring that radical Islam is “NOT compatible with the Constitution and has NO PLACE IN AMERICA.”
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded on X, criticizing the outrage over him “breaking bread with New Yorkers” and contrasting that backlash with perceived political inaction on child hunger.
- Democrats, including Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Mark Pocan and Yassamin Ansari and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, issued sharp public condemnations of the rhetoric; Ansari urged Speaker Mike Johnson to reprimand Fine or strip committee assignments and Democrats renewed talk of a House censure vote. Sen. Ed Markey called Tuberville’s post “Racist. Islamophobic. Disgusting. Republicans just want to Make America White Again,” and Schumer denounced the remarks as “mindless hate,” emphasizing Muslim Americans’ everyday roles.
📊 Relevant Data
The foreign-born population in New York City increased from 18% in 1960 to 37% in 2020, largely due to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 which overhauled immigration laws and led to renewed high immigration rates.
2020 Census Results for New York City — NYC Department of City Planning
Most studies find that the impact of immigration on wages in New York City is small, with economic benefits such as increased productivity and consumer spending outweighing any negative effects.
Facts, Not Fear: How Welcoming Immigrants Benefits New York City — Office of the New York City Comptroller
Following the surge in immigration starting in 2022, the growth rates of house prices and rents in the US slowed substantially by 2023, suggesting immigration may help stabilize housing markets by increasing demand in less desirable areas.
The Role of the Recent Immigrant Surge in Housing Costs — Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
In the 2025 elections, a record 42 Muslim Americans won public office positions across the United States, including historic firsts such as the first Muslim mayor of New York City.
42 Muslim Americans win in US elections, marking record milestone — Muslim Network TV
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- This Fox article specifies that Tuberville’s 'enemy is inside the gates' comment was made while sharing an End Wokeness X post juxtaposing a 9/11 Twin Towers photo with an image of Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a Ramadan Iftar at New York City Hall.
- It details Mamdani’s direct response on X, criticizing the outrage over him 'breaking bread with New Yorkers' and contrasting it with political inaction on child hunger.
- It provides exact language from Sen. Ed Markey calling Tuberville’s post 'Racist. Islamophobic. Disgusting. Republicans just want to Make America White Again.'
- It quotes Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s full rebuttal emphasizing Muslim Americans’ everyday roles and calling Tuberville’s rhetoric 'mindless hate.'
- It includes Tuberville’s extended follow-up post labeling 'Radical Islam' a 'CULT,' asserting under 'Sharia Law' non‑Muslims are 'the ENEMY,' and saying radical Islam is 'NOT compatible with the Constitution and has NO PLACE IN AMERICA.'
- It notes Tuberville also used the 'enemy is inside the gates' phrase in a Dec. 31 post reacting to a New York Times headline about Mamdani becoming the first NYC mayor sworn in on a Quran.
- Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) posted, “We need more Islamophobia, not less. Fear of Islam is rational,” and doubled down on an earlier dogs‑vs‑Muslims post that had already prompted censure calls.
- Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) posted, “Name one country that is freer and safer because Muslims moved there,” and separately called for repealing the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 (Hart‑Celler).
- Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) called for “mass remigration” and posted, “No more Muslims immigrating to America.”
- Rep. Riley Moore (R-W.Va.) announced plans to introduce a bill to denaturalize and deport any naturalized citizen who commits or plots terrorism or aids terrorist organizations.
- Democrats including Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Mark Pocan and Yassamin Ansari, as well as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, issued sharp public condemnations of the rhetoric; Ansari explicitly urged Speaker Mike Johnson to reprimand Fine or strip committee assignments and renewed talk of a House censure vote.
- Axios explicitly ties the timing of the Republicans’ posts to the same‑day attacks at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and at Old Dominion University in Virginia, alleged to involve a Lebanese‑born naturalized U.S. citizen and a previously convicted ISIS supporter.