MAGA lawmaker deletes extremist anti-gay post facing fury from conservatives

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) quietly deleted a post from X on Monday after it ignited a firestorm — including from members of his own party.The since-deleted post, made on the second day of Pride Month, was blunt: Homosexuality has no place in America. Happy Nuclear Family Month.The blowback was swift. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) fired back publicly — calling the statement absolutely idiotic — and then went further. Sources Say reporter Juliegrace Brufke reported that Lawler personally reached out to Ogles about the post.Homosexuality exists. In America, Lawler wrote. 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.The post also drew fire over its implicit shot at Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is openly gay. Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT), the first openly gay person elected to Congress from Vermont, addressed Bessent directly: 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. It's certainly not what President Trump or this administration believes either.Ogles, a Freedom Caucus member facing a 2026 Republican primary, had not responded to the criticism at the time of publication.