Greg Stanton, Yassamin Ansari Renew Calls for Ethics Investigation of John Gillette

Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ) and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) have renewed calls for the Arizona House of Representatives to take action against State Representative John Gillette (R-30).

As Cactus Politics covered in mid-September, State Rep. Gillette faced controversy after sharing an X post that received scrutiny. "We absolutely do not need a Muslim advisory anything in government," Gillette shared. "They support Sharia Law. CAIR is a front group for the Muslim Brotherhood. Known terrorist organization."

However, the Arizona House Ethics Committee dismissed the complaint, citing First Amendment protections and stating that lawmakers' opinions are not typically subject to ethics inquiries.

State Rep. Gillette stood by his comments, saying he "will not apologize for defending God, America, and the US Constitution."

Since then, Gillette has continued to make inflammatory remarks about Muslims in the United States, referring to them as "savages" who refuse to assimilate and calling for them to be deported.

Most alarmingly, Gillette responded to a video posted by Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) in which she spoke of coordinating "nonviolent resistance actions that are going to make a difference over the next coming months."

"Until people like this, that advocate for the overthrow of the American government, are tried, convicted, and hanged... it will continue," Gillette responded.

The post has since been deleted.

In a letter sent to Arizona leadership, the lawmakers argue that "such rhetoric not only reflects poorly on your institution but contributes directly to the worsening of America's political climate, eroding democratic norms, endangering public servants, and diminishing the reputation of the State of Arizona and its people."

"As leaders of the Arizona House, you bear a higher responsibility as elected officials to hold your members to standards that safeguard the integrity of the institution you serve. How this matter is addressed will shape both public trust in the Arizona Legislature and the example it sets for civic discourse," the letter continues.