Warnock Blasts Cruz's Bin Laden Jibe as 'Pure and Simple' Bigotry

Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia called Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas's recent comments about Muslims "bigotry. Pure and simple" on Sunday's broadcast of CNN's "State of the Union." The criticism followed a clip of Cruz mocking the theology of Kansas pastor Adam Hamilton during a campaign event.

During a rally in Wichita, Kansas, on Friday to support incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall, Cruz addressed a resurfaced 2022 sermon by Hamilton. In that sermon, Hamilton argued that God's mercy could extend to sincere non-Christians, including Muslims. Cruz quoted the pastor as saying that Muslims would be welcomed in heaven and that believers could embrace them there.

"It's an interesting idea," Cruz said at the event. "We show up there in heaven, first thing you see is Osama bin Laden."

Warnock, who identifies as a Baptist, took issue with Cruz, also a Baptist, using such language. He told host Jake Tapper that religious bigotry is still bigotry and that Republicans are trying to stir up old demons because they are losing the argument. He described the move as deeply disheartening though not surprising.

The Georgia senator stated that as a Christian pastor, he finds no comfort in this specific type of Islamophobia. He criticized the tactic of lifting up the worst example of a person claiming a faith and conflating that individual with the faith itself.

Warnock added that as an African American, he recognizes bigotry when he sees it. He urged the public to resist and reject it, asserting that America is better than this moment. HuffPost contacted Cruz's office for comment regarding the exchange.