US Congressman Andy Ogles (R) has ignited controversy after stating “we should kill them all” in response to a pro-Palestinian activist voicing concerns about the harmful effects of US backing for Israel’s war in Gaza, especially on children.
Context: In the recorded incident, the activist walks alongside Ogles and staff members as she has a back-and-forth with the congressman about mounting civilian deaths in Gaza.
- “I’ve seen footage of shredded children’s bodies, and that’s my taxpayer dollars going to bomb those kids,” the activist said.
- “I think we should kill them all, if that makes you feel better,” Ogles replied. “Everybody in Hamas.”
First-term Congressman Ogles is known for his unwavering support for the Jewish state.
- Voted to censure Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib after she made several comments condemneing Israel’s brutal war against the Gaza Strip in the wake of October 7th.
- His 2022 election campaign received $10,000 from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Scandal: The Campaign Legal Center (CLC) filed an ethics complaint against Ogles in January for allegedly failing to disclose a $320,000 personal loan to his campaign in 2022 and a $700,000 line of credit from a bank later that same year
- Compared alleged violations to those of former Congressman George Santos (R) who was expelled from Congress in December over allegations that he defrauded campaign donors