Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance Calls Out Rep. Derrick Van Orden’s Documented Pattern of Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

Franklin, WI 7/1/2026
The Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance (WMCA) is calling on Congressman Derrick Van Orden to publicly account for a years-long pattern of anti-Muslim rhetoric documented in a recent Milwaukee Courier investigation, which found the congressman repeatedly agreeing with and amplifying baseless, dehumanizing claims about Muslims, including posts falsely linking Islam to child abuse and terrorism.

Among the most troubling instances, Rep. Van Orden mocked the name of Salah Sarsour, President of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, on social media following Sarsour’s wrongful detention by ICE earlier this year, implying he was a terrorist. Sarsour was later released after a federal judge ordered his release, finding no basis for his continued detention. Rep. Van Orden has not retracted or apologized for his comments.

“A representative is entrusted to serve and uplift all of his constituents, not to lend credibility to rhetoric that demeans and endangers an entire faith community,” said Fauzia Qureshi, Executive Director of WMCA. “Wisconsin’s Muslim community, 70,000 strong, deserves an elected official who represents all of us, not one who amplifies the same rhetoric that puts our families at risk.”

WMCA notes that this pattern extends beyond a single incident, spanning years of public statements and social media activity that consistently align with anti-Muslim narratives, including claims about “radical Muslim sleeper cells” and comments suggesting American cities have undergone “cultural suicide” due to Muslim population growth.

WMCA calls on Rep. Van Orden to:

• Publicly retract and apologize for his history of anti-Muslim statements and social media activity

• Clearly and unequivocally denounce the anti-Muslim rhetoric he has repeatedly amplified

• Meet with Wisconsin Muslim community leaders to hear directly from constituents affected by this rhetoric

WMCA will continue to hold all elected officials, regardless of party, accountable for rhetoric and actions that endanger Wisconsin’s Muslim community.