GOP congressman pushed for Pentagon to create a vile database of 'good' and 'bad' Muslims

When Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) introduced an amendment to a Defense Department spending bill that would compel the Pentagon to study "violent strains of Islam" and create a database of "good" and "bad" Muslim theologians, even his fellow Republicans weren't having it.

According to the Phoenix New Times, Franks' amendment was so vile, 27 Republicans broke ranks to vote against it, causing it to be defeated 217-208.

Unfortunately, it's not the first time Franks has expressed anti-Muslim sentiment. The Times' noted that in 2009, Franks (along with three other House GOP members) "breathlessly warned of spies masquerading as Muslim interns" based on a book he read with the title Muslim Mafia.

He's also a favorite of noted Islamophobic conspiracy theorist Frank Gaffney, who honored Franks at an awards ceremony in 2015 with their "Freedom Flame" award.