Republican lawmaker under fire from both parties for removing post concerning Sikh legislative chaplain
Strong, Straight-Talking Take on Rep. Mary Miller's Controversial Post
Republican Rep. Mary Miller is catching heat for a now-deleted social media post that called it "damn near blasphemous" a Sikh led a prayer on the House floor.
Giani Surinder Singh, from the Gurudwara South Jersey Sikh Society in Vineland, New Jersey, was introduced as the guest chaplain on Friday morning and delivered the House prayer.
Miller, fresh from the Midwest, subsequently posted on X: "What the hell is this? A Sikh leading prayer in the House? This is straight-up heresy! America was rooted in Christian traditions, and I reckon our government oughta reflect that, not turn its back on it." The post has since been obliterated.
"This shouldn't've been allowed in the first place," Miller declared. "We're living in a Godforsaken mess where everything we cherish is thrown to the wind. America, a Christian nation, and our leaders ignoring that? Shameful!" The Illinois rep had initially tagged Singh as a "Muslim," in an earlier X post that was likewise eradicated, as per a screenshot posted by Politico reporter Nicholas Wu.
CNN reached out to Miller's office for comment, inquiring as to why the post vanished, as well as to seek comment from the Gurudwara South Jersey Sikh Society.
Historically, the House has been open to guest chaplains representing a diversity of faiths.
Miller's comments triggered a wave of criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
GOP Rep. David Valadao of California stated on X, "I gotta admit, I'm troubled by my colleague's remarks. Sikh-Americans add value and contribute positively to our communities across the nation, yet they continue to face discrimination and ridicule."
GOP Rep. Nick LaLota of New York expressed his stance on X, "A Sikh prayer on the House floor, followed by a Christian prayer the next week, and a Jewish prayer the week after? That ain't against the Constitution, doesn't rattle my Catholic faith, or shake my support for Israel. Let 'em live their lives as they please."
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries posted on X, "I gotta tell ya, it's darn near disgraceful that such a close-minded bigot is camped in the United States Congress. And guess what, darling? That bigot is you, Mary."
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus denounced Miller's comments. "Sikhs and Muslims not only practice two separate religions but also have distinct cultural identities. mixing 'em up mere 'cause they look similar is just plain ignorant and racist," the caucus, whose members are all Dems, stated in a post on X.
CNN affiliate Marquesa Lopez contributed to this report.
- The general news and politics sections are abuzz with the ongoing war-and-conflicts within the American political landscape, as Rep. Mary Miller's controversial comments about a Sikh leading a prayer on the House floor stirred a wave of criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
- Amidst the ongoing crime-and-justice debates surrounding religious discrimination, it's essential to recognize the importance of politics upholding the principles of diversity and inclusivity, such as the House's historically open policy to guest chaplains representing a diversity of faiths.
