Warnock: Cruz's Bin Laden jab at Hamilton sermon is bigotry

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., declared that Sen. Ted Cruz's comments on Islam constitute "bigotry" on Sunday. Warnock made the assessment during an appearance on CNN's State of the Union. He directed his criticism at Cruz's remarks regarding a resurfaced sermon by Adam Hamilton, a U.S. Senate candidate and pastor in Kansas.

The dispute traces back to Friday, when Cruz spoke at a campaign rally in Wichita, Kansas. The event supported incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall. Hamilton, who ran for the Senate in 2022, previously stated that God's mercy could extend to non-Christians who sincerely seek God. He included Muslims in that group, even if they do not explicitly profess faith in Jesus. Cruz challenged this theological position during his speech.

"[Hamilton] says, 'When we get to heaven, there will be Muslims and we can hug and embrace them and they will be welcomed in heaven.' It's an interesting idea," Cruz said. He added, "We show up there in heaven, first thing you see is Osama bin Laden."

Warnock, a Baptist, responded to Cruz's use of the phrase. Both men identify as Baptists. Warnock told host Jake Tapper that "religious bigotry is bigotry." He argued that "the Republicans know that they're losing the argument." Warnock described the strategy as an attempt to "stir up these old demons."

Warnock stated that he takes no comfort in what he described as Islamophobia. He noted that he is a Christian pastor who rejects the practice of "conflating" a specific individual as the entire faith. He added that as an African American, he recognizes bigotry and believes America is better than such reactions.

Cruz's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment as of Saturday. The next scheduled stop in this political dispute is the ongoing Senate campaign in Kansas, where Hamilton continues to campaign against Marshall.