Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) said in a since-deleted social media post on Friday it was “deeply troubling” that a Sikh man, whom she initially misidentified as Muslim, led a prayer on the floor of the House.
Miller wrote on X that the man, Giani Surinder Singh, “should never have been allowed” to lead the prayer and called for Congress to uphold the “truth” that “America was founded as a Christian nation.”
Miller’s original post incorrectly identified Singh as Muslim. She subsequently corrected the post before deleting it entirely.
Singh was invited to lead the prayer, a regular tradition ahead of House sessions being called to order, by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.).
Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Some Democrats immediately condemned Miller’s post.
“It’s deeply troubling that someone with such contempt for religious freedom is allowed to serve in this body,” Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) posted on X. “This should have never been allowed to happen.”