GOP congressman left scrambling after staffer’s anti-gay post ignites firestorm

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleOgles stopped short of apologizing for the post's content, instead blaming the staffer for distracting from his “America First focus” (Getty)GOP Congressman Andy Ogles faced backlash after a homophobic message stating “homosexuality has no place in America” was shared on his social media account shortly after Pride Month began. The Tennessee Republican later deleted the post and attributed the “stupid, hurtful” message to a member of his communications team, who he stated had been reprimanded. Ogles stopped short of apologizing for the post's content, instead blaming the staffer for distracting from his “America First focus.” The congressman received fierce criticism for the post, including from fellow Republicans such as New York Rep. Mike Lawler, who called the statement “absolutely idiotic.” Lawler emphasized that gay and lesbian individuals are Americans and are not “less than” or “unworthy” due to their sexual orientation. In fullGOP rep throws staffer under bus for tweet saying ‘homosexuality has no place in America’Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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