The state of Virginia swore in its first-ever Muslim lieutenant governor on Saturday.
Democrat State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, who was born in Hyderabad, India, took the oath of office on the steps of the Virginia state capital building, reportedly using a Quran. Hashmi’s campaign was centered on supporting the expansion of Medicaid, protecting abortion, climate change and affordable housing.
Shortly after Hashmi's swearing-in ceremony, conservative officials across the country, including U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), weighed in, expressing deep concerns about the office being occupied by an Islamist.
Tuberville took to X, responding to a post featuring Hashmi's swearing-in ceremony, writing, "The enemy is inside the gates."
The enemy is inside the gates. https://t.co/OEfnS8qBI0
— Tommy Tuberville (@CoachForGov) January 17, 2026
Following Tuberville's comment, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a frequent defender of violent illegal immigrants, accused the Alabama Republican of "bigotry."
This is pure, unabashed bigotry.
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) January 19, 2026
If a politician said this about any other faith, they would rightfully be run out of their party.
But this kind of despicable anti-Muslim rhetoric is so normalized that a sitting Senator uses it without consequence.
A stain on our Congress. pic.twitter.com/Do0Z5n18NC
Tuberville responded to Van Hollen on Wednesday, again calling radical Islam "one of the GREATEST THREATS to America," while accusing the liberal of engaging in “America Last” politics.
You traveled to El Salvador to have margaritas with a human trafficker and member of MS-13.
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) January 21, 2026
Radical Islam is one of the GREATEST THREATS to America, and I will not be quiet.
While my colleague from Maryland pushes “America Last” politics, I will always be AMERICA FIRST. https://t.co/4pRWUfu6aB
Hashmi secured the office after defeating Republican John Reid, a former conservative talk show host and Virginia's first gay statewide nominee,
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