Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) sparked controversy after posting a deleted social media message on Friday expressing deep concern over a Sikh man, Giani Surinder Singh, leading a House floor prayer. The post, initially misidentifying Singh as Muslim, was later corrected by Miller before it was deleted entirely. Singh was invited to lead the prayer by Rep. Jeff Van, a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, who praised his work with the Sikh community.
Miller’s remarks drew swift condemnation from both Sikh and Muslim community leaders, who called her comments hateful and racist. Harman Singh, the executive director of the Sikh Coalition, urged Miller to apologize for her ‘hateful rhetoric’ and meet with Sikhs in her district. Similarly, Haris Tarin of the Muslim Public Affairs Council condemned Miller’s ‘Islamaphobia’ and emphasized the importance of the First Amendment.
Lawmakers also expressed outrage over Miller’s remarks. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) criticized the post, stating that it was deeply troubling that a person with such contempt for religious freedom was allowed to serve in Congress, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries directly addressed Miller, stating, ‘That would be you, Mary.’ Other lawmakers, including Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.), echoed these sentiments, highlighting the discrimination Sikh-Americans face in the U.S.