PRESS RELEASE: House Dem Leaders Condemn 'Vile' Anti-Muslim Comments by Rep. Gillette, Will File Ethics Complaint

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

September 10, 2025

 PHOENIX – The House Democratic leadership team released the following statement denouncing hateful, anti-Muslim comments by Republican State Representative John Gillette of Kingman published this week in The Arizona Mirror. The comments can be found here.

"We strongly condemn the hateful and dangerous anti-Muslim comments by Representative John Gillette. Vile and bigoted language like this has no place in public discourse, undermines the safety and dignity of Muslim communities, and promotes fear and division. We know too well in Arizona that Islamophobic rhetoric can trigger acts of violence and put lives at risk. When used and sanctioned by public officials, it contradicts and weakens the core American values of equality, justice, and religious freedom.

Muslim Americans are essential members of our society—serving with distinction in every sector including military service, as first responders, teachers, and small business owners; contributing to our shared prosperity and enriching our cultural and civic life. To target them with hostility or suspicion is both un-American and unacceptable. We must never tolerate hate, and in response to Rep. Gillette’s repeated, dangerous, bigoted and disorderly conduct, we will be filing an official ethics complaint."

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