BUZZ
Students accuse Ogles of hatred toward Muslims
Students at Belmont University formed a “screaming mob” outside of an event featuring Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, accusing the politician of “bigotry” toward Muslims.
“This is what violent Leftist rhetoric has inspired on American college campuses. Another town hall hijacked by a screaming mob,” Rep. Ogles wrote in a post on X Monday.
Ogles included a video in which a student can be heard yelling, “Hate is not welcome on Belmont’s campus! Republicans are, but bigots are not!”
Students also held flyers that read, “Vote Ogles out.”
In another video posted to X by the Daily Wire, a student can be heard yelling, “Bigotry has no place in American society! Muslims do!”
The event was hosted by the Belmont College Republicans.
Student Grace McNamara sent an email to the Office of Student Engagement to condemn Ogles’ appearance on campus, according to Tennessee Lookout.
“Congressman Ogles consistently speaks and acts in ways that contradict the values of Belmont University,” the student wrote. “Because of this, his presence on campus constitutes a potential threat to the safety and well-being of students.”
She referenced several of his posts on X, including one from March that states, “Muslims don’t belong in American society.”
McNamara claimed Ogles’ statements violate the student handbook, which states, “the dignity and worth of every individual, recognizing that each person is unique and possesses both rights and responsibilities.”
“This commitment to individuals’ worth is expressed through respect for differing opinions, attitudes, and cultures, and fair and just treatment for all,” it states.
A university spokesperson told Tennessee Lookout that the school did not sponsor the event. However, the “university encourages the free exchange of ideas, maintaining expectations for respectful, non-disruptive conduct,” the spokesperson said.
Ogles told Lookout that “Belmont was initially obstinate and thumbed their nose” at President Trump’s executive order banning “diversity, equity, and inclusion” practices at federally funded institutions.
“I understand it might take time to unwind these programs but if you’re getting federal money and giving the finger to the president, it’s not going to turn out well,” he said.
Last year, Ogles called for a federal investigation into the Christian university, alleging it simply rebranded its DEI practices, according to a news release from his office.
“Despite public claims of compliance with President Trump’s directive to eliminate DEI programs, Belmont appears to have rebranded its DEI bureaucracy under a new label: ‘HUB’—Hope, Unity, and Belonging,” the release states.
“Leaked video footage and whistleblower reports suggest this rebranding is an intentional effort to deceive federal authorities and continue promoting discriminatory programming under a new name,” it states.
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