Allegations are swirling that members of Islamic extremist groups were praying and washing up in U.S. Capitol restrooms during a government shutdown, and some Republican lawmakers are not having it.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Rep. Chip Roy of Texas are leading the charge to investigate claims that individuals tied to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, through a group called Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, were using Senate facilities for religious rituals while the government was on pause on a Tuesday.
Investigative journalist Laura Loomer broke the story on X, revealing that Tuberville and Roy plan to reach out to Capitol Police next week for surveillance footage of these alleged activities.
Reports suggest these individuals were spotted praying on mats, dressed in traditional Islamic attire, and even using Senate bathrooms to prepare for prayers by washing their feet.
Tuberville’s staff reportedly saw women in niqabs and men praying on the Senate floor, a sight that’s raised eyebrows and questions about security protocols during a shutdown.
Let’s be real—while religious freedom is a cornerstone of American values, using public spaces like the Capitol for such activities, especially during a government standstill, feels like a stretch to many conservatives who prioritize strict boundaries on federal property.
The timing couldn’t be more sensitive, as Tuberville didn’t shy away from invoking the tragic memory of September 11, 2001, when nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives to radical Islamic terrorism.
“Twenty-four years ago, September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 innocent Americans were murdered in a coordinated terrorist attack carried out by radical Islamic extremism,” Tuberville said on the Senate floor. (Source: Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-AL)
“Those of us who lived through that day remember exactly where we were when those planes hit the buildings,” he continued. “That day changed this country forever.” (Source: Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-AL)
Tuberville also pointed out what he sees as a lingering extremist ideology in America today, calling such incidents an affront to Western culture and the freedoms we hold dear.
Meanwhile, Rep. Chip Roy isn’t just sounding alarms—he’s taking action with his recently introduced Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act, co-sponsored by Reps. Randy Fine of Florida, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, and Keith Self of Texas, aiming to block foreign nationals adhering to Sharia law from entering or staying in the U.S.
Critics might call this overreach, but for many on the right, it’s a necessary line in the sand to protect national identity and security—though one wonders if the bill’s language could spark a heated debate on religious liberty.
On a related front, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has reintroduced the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025, pushing to officially label the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group and targeting its branches, like Hamas, for their violent actions.
The act specifically calls out Hamas for a horrific attack on October 7, described as the worst single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, which also claimed the lives and freedom of at least 53 Americans. While progressive voices may balk at broad designations, supporters argue it’s high time to name and confront these threats head-on.
