The anti-Muslim midterms

In a recent story for Mother Jones about Islamophobia in the GOP, reporter Tim Murphy listed things lawmakers have said about Muslims recently. These statements include claims like "Muslims don't belong in American society," "We need more Islamophobia, not less," "No more Muslims," and "I hate Islam, it's a demonic death cult." These statements have become a kind of currency among some Republicans in the run-up to the midterms.

The Rhetoric of Danger

Christian Paz, who covers politics and religion for Vox, explains that what we're seeing now is rhetoric describing every Muslim and the religion itself as potentially dangerous. This was evident at a recent GOP midterm convention in Texas, where Islam was a frequent topic of discussion. The speakers' messages centered on three main themes: communism and socialism on the Democratic side, Democrats being "obsessed with trans kids," and Islamism being a rising and huge threat in America, facilitated by Democrats.

Ted Cruz, for example, summed up this sentiment by stating, "We are witnessing a new and dangerous red-green alliance: communists and Islamists coming together and sweeping over the Democrat Party." He further claimed that these groups "hate Christians, they hate Jews, they hate capitalism, they hate the Constitution, and they hate America." Another speaker, Mike Rogers, cited 9/11 and expressed shame about having to run against Abdulla Sayed, a Muslim candidate, and his running mate Hassan Piker, saying, "Together, they attack America. They excuse extremism. They treat our country like it's the villain."