On the second day of Pride Month, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) posted a stark declaration to social media: "Homosexuality has no place in America. Happy Nuclear Family Month." The blowback was swift — and came from his own party.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) fired back directly: "Homosexuality exists. In America. In fact Andy, you have family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and constituents who are gay and lesbian. It doesn't make them less than or somehow unworthy of being an American. What an absolutely idiotic statement to make."
MS NOW congressional reporter Matt Fuller noted that the post went beyond standard Republican positioning.
"Notable that Rep. Andy Ogles isn't even opposing gay marriage here," Fuller wrote. "He's straight up saying 'homosexuality has no place in America.' Seems like the GOP may be retracing its steps on this issue."
The post also drew pointed fire aimed at Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is openly gay. MS NOW political editor Sam Stein wrote that he'd be "curious for" Bessent's thoughts. Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT), the first woman and first openly gay person elected to Congress from Vermont, was more direct: "That would be news to some gay officials in the Trump admin. Care to comment, @SecScottBessent?"
Gay conservative commentator Link Lauren — who describes himself as a frequent speaker at Republican events — pushed back from inside the tent. "Saying I have 'no place in America' is a mistake," Lauren wrote. "It's certainly not what President Trump or this administration believes either… at all."
Democratic strategist Mike Nellis was less charitable, summing up Ogles in two words: "American Taliban."
Ogles, a Freedom Caucus member who has called for Christian nationalism and faces a 2026 Republican primary, had not responded to the criticism at the time of publication.
