Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., deleted a homophobic comment he posted from his official congressional X account Tuesday and blamed a staffer for posting it following backlash from both Democrats and Republicans.
The deleted post, which came at the beginning of Pride Month, read: “Homosexuality has no place in America. Happy Nuclear Family Month.”
Ogles later said on X that “a member of my comms team” sent the post. “The post was stupid, hurtful and a complete distraction from my America First focus. The employee has been reprimanded,” he added.
Fellow Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, of New York, was among those who condemned Ogles over the post, calling it “idiotic.”
“Homosexuality exists. In America. In fact Andy, you have family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and constituents who are gay and lesbian,” Lawler wrote on X. “It doesn’t make them less than or somehow unworthy of being an American. What an absolutely idiotic statement to make.”
Lawler told NBC News on Tuesday that he also sent Ogles some “choice words” via text message.
On Wednesday, Lawler called the post “offensive,” adding that “it was pretty clear that it was f---ing stupid.”
Lawler wasn’t the only Republican to disagree with Ogles. Asked by TMZ whether he agreed with the post, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said, “For all of recorded history, homosexuals have been part of humanity.”
“I’m quite libertarian by nature,” he continued. “I think the behavior of consenting adults is their business.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., told reporters Wednesday that the post was “inappropriate.”
“He retracted it,” he said. “He himself said he didn’t post it and that he’s taking action to reprimand people who did, so it should have never put up. It’s reprehensible.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday about Ogles’ post.
Democrats slammed the post. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., wrote on X that “bigots like Andy Ogles have no place in America.” Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., also weighed in, calling it a “horrific and disgusting thing to say.”
“The LGBTQI+ community makes America great, unlike bigots like you,” Thanedar said on X.
It’s not the first time Ogles has come under fire for inflammatory remarks. He declared this year that “Muslims don’t belong in American society,” which also prompted bipartisan backlash.
Polling has indicated that Republicans’ support for same-sex marriage and relationships has decreased in recent years. In 2021, 55% of Republicans said marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized, according to a Gallup poll. In 2026, that number dropped to 37%.
