Republican criticized in hometown paper after post targeting state lawmaker

Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi published an op-ed in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Friday criticizing Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) for xenophobic and anti-Muslim remarks targeting Virginia state Sen. Saddam Salim, an immigrant from Bangladesh who authored gun violence prevention legislation.

Clyde's social media post called for denaturalizing and deporting Salim, claiming immigrants with beliefs incompatible with the Constitution endanger the country.

Hashmi argued citizenship is not conditional on partisan politics and noted Clyde never made similar attacks on the other state senator who co-authored the gun legislation, suggesting his targeting was motivated by bias. She emphasized Clyde's rhetoric perpetuates violence, targets immigrant communities, and contradicts democratic values -- particularly following a recent mosque shooting in San Diego.

Hashmi urged Georgia voters to oppose Clyde in the upcoming midterm elections, defending immigrants' right to hold differing policy positions.

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