Anti-Muslim messaging has become a significant feature in the rhetoric of Republican elected officials, escalating to the forefront at the party's midterm convention in Dallas, Texas. Speakers at the event warned of a growing alliance between leftists and "Islamists."
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) stated at the convention that "Communists and Islamists [are] coming together and sweeping over the Democrat Party." He characterized this alliance as united by a shared animosity towards "Christians," "Jews," "capitalism," "the Constitution," and "America."
In Michigan, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers drew a parallel between his opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, and online commentator Hasan Piker, suggesting that Piker "thinks America deserved" 9/11. Rogers argued that together, they "attack America. They excuse extremism. They treat our country like it’s the villain."
These instances align with a broader trend of Republican lawmakers employing anti-Islam and anti-Muslim rhetoric in the lead-up to the midterms. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN) expressed on X that "Muslims don’t belong in American society." Representative Randy Fine (R-FL) publicly stated, "we need more Islamophobia, not less." Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) has been quoted saying, "No more Muslims," and Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith has declared, "I hate Islam; it’s a demonic death cult."
High-profile Muslim figures such as El-Sayed, Zohran Mamdani, and Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar have become targets of this rhetoric. Concurrently, the GOP is advancing anti-Muslim legislation. The "Sharia Free America Caucus" in the U.S. House of Representatives comprises numerous Republican members. In Texas, banning and investigating cases of sharia law has become an official plank in the Republican Party platform. Governor Greg Abbott has also called for a federal probe into Muslim washing facilities at Texas airports.
Journalist Rozina Ali, author of "Seasons of Fury," discussed this rise in Islamophobia, noting that prominent Muslim politicians like El-Sayed and Mamdani have been vocal critics of U.S. foreign policy, particularly after October 7. Ali observed that unlike the post-9/11 era, where Muslim critics were often sidelined, younger generations of Muslim politicians are unapologetically vocal about both foreign and domestic issues.
Ali attributes the increased willingness of politicians like El-Sayed and Mamdani to critique the U.S. to a broader societal distrust in institutions. She noted a shift from the post-9/11 period, which saw widespread bipartisan support for the "war on terror," to a present where criticisms of U.S. foreign policy failures, such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and domestic issues like mass surveillance, are more common and accepted.
However, Ali highlighted a disparity in who is permitted to criticize the nation. She pointed to rhetoric from figures like JD Vance, who frames criticism as coming from those who "hate" America, suggesting that a person's appearance or religious background can determine the reception of their critiques. Ali stated that this dynamic is not exclusive to the Republican Party, recalling past instances where Democratic figures also placed conditions on Muslim Americans' belonging based on their perceived loyalty. This, she contends, has created a frightening cultural, religious, and racial divide.
Regarding whether this heightened rhetoric is temporary or indicative of a lasting shift, Ali suggested that anti-Muslim sentiment has become a recurring feature of American politics, particularly during election seasons, with the GOP testing its effectiveness. Beyond electoral strategy, Ali expressed concern about efforts to alter legal and structural frameworks concerning Muslim expression and the practice of Islam in the U.S., citing the Texas Republican Party's framing of Islam as a political ideology and attempts to ban sharia law.
Ali expressed a belief that a generational shift is necessary for Muslim Americans like Abdul El-Sayed to criticize the country without facing Islamophobic attacks. While acknowledging the potential for such a future, she suggested it would require a concerted effort to challenge anti-Muslim rhetoric from policymakers, a development she does not foresee in the immediate future but believes could occur over decades.