The Omar Suleiman celebration of Lindsey Graham’s death has prompted Rep. Beth Van Duyne to announce she will introduce a censure resolution this week after a social post that said, “In other news, Lindsey Graham is dead.” Suleiman did not respond to requests for comment, according to reporting on the post.
The post — which included the lines, “Bye Lindsey. May you live an eternity in ruins for the ruins you helped create in Gaza. Ameen” — drew immediate condemnation from Van Duyne and other conservative lawmakers who said the language was intolerable coming from a religious leader who had once offered the opening prayer in the House chamber.
Omar Suleiman celebration of Lindsey Graham’s death
The social media message is the factual post at the center of the controversy: Suleiman wrote, “In other news, Lindsey Graham is dead,” and followed that with words expressing a wish that Graham “live an eternity in ruins.” Those lines are what Van Duyne and other critics cite as the primary basis for the forthcoming resolution.
Suleiman did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and his office did not provide a statement to reporters as of publication. The reported post and its full text are quoted in news coverage and cited by Van Duyne in announcing the measure.
Van Duyne censure resolution and its claims
Rep. Beth Van Duyne said she will formally introduce a censure resolution that would condemn Suleiman’s post and outline a series of concerns critics have raised about his past statements and associations. Van Duyne described the measure as a formal congressional condemnation rather than a criminal referral.
The resolution, as described by Van Duyne and in news reports, alleges that Suleiman has “defended convicted terrorists” and includes claims about past ties or travel that critics say show support for extremist groups. Those points are presented in the resolution and in some reporting as reported allegations; they have not been independently verified in this article.
“This type of action from a religious leader that claims to preach about love and not hate needs to be condemned.”
Van Duyne’s measure also frames its concerns in broader terms, arguing that some of Suleiman’s past remarks and affiliations raise constitutional and civic concerns. She has signaled she is coordinating with House leaders about timing and is seeking support from lawmakers across the aisle who invited Suleiman to the House floor in previous years.
Political reaction and key quotes
The reaction in Washington has been largely led by conservative lawmakers and commentators calling for a strong rebuke. Van Duyne urged Democrats who previously invited Suleiman to the House floor to acknowledge the post and back the censure resolution.
Van Duyne added, “It needs to be condemned by those Democrats who called him to the House floor to preach.” She and other critics framed the post as part of a decline in civility and respect.
“The words are getting more hateful. The call for violence is getting more dangerous.”
Supporters of Suleiman or independent commentators who have defended him in past controversies have argued that comments are being taken out of broader context; those defenses are reported in recent coverage but do not negate the fact of the post that sparked the current response.
Suleiman background and disputed allegations
Omar Suleiman is co-founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, a faith-based research organization; his role at Yaqeen is described on the institute’s website. He delivered the opening prayer in the House in May 2019, an event that previously led to debate and scrutiny over some of his past remarks.
Critics have pointed to media reports and the Van Duyne resolution for a list of disputed claims — including reports that Suleiman has defended individuals later convicted of terrorism-related offenses and that he has associated with or traveled to support controversial groups. These points are presented here as reported allegations attributed to the resolution and to news reporting; they have not been independently corroborated by this newsroom.
Because several of the harsher claims are contested, this piece preserves the distinction between established fact (the post itself and the existence of the resolution) and allegations cited in outside reporting and the text of the proposed measure.
What comes next
Van Duyne said she will introduce the resolution on Wednesday and is discussing timing with House leadership. If introduced, the resolution could be referred to the House Committee on Ethics or another committee, or leadership could schedule a floor statement or vote depending on political calculations and the level of bipartisan interest.
Locally in the Dallas area, the move is expected to draw attention from constituents: Suleiman lives in a suburb of Van Duyne’s district, and some residents have already contacted the congresswoman’s office. Political operatives in the area say the episode could become a local talking point in upcoming races, though its long-term effect will depend on whether Democratic leaders join the condemnation and whether Suleiman responds publicly.
Watch for statements from House Democratic leaders, any formal referral or committee action, and any response from Suleiman or representatives of the Yaqeen Institute as the measure progresses through congressional procedure.
FAQ
What did Omar Suleiman post about Lindsey Graham?
News reporting cites a social post in which Suleiman wrote, “In other news, Lindsey Graham is dead,” followed by, “Bye Lindsey. May you live an eternity in ruins for the ruins you helped create in Gaza. Ameen.” Those quoted lines are the basis for the censure push.
What does the Van Duyne resolution allege and seek?
The resolution formally condemns Suleiman’s post and cites a series of disputed claims — presented in the resolution and in some news reports as reported allegations — that include assertions he defended convicted terrorists or had problematic associations. The measure seeks a formal congressional condemnation, a symbolic reprimand rather than criminal penalties.
Could Congress actually censure a private citizen or religious leader?
Congressional censures are typically used against sitting members; a resolution condemning a private citizen is a symbolic expression of the chamber’s opinion and does not impose criminal penalties. Van Duyne’s measure is intended as a formal statement of disapproval by members of the House.
Source: Fox News; background on Suleiman and the Yaqeen Institute: Yaqeen Institute. Allegations summarized above are presented as reported allegations in Van Duyne’s resolution and in cited news reporting.
