Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has posted a Facebook photo suggesting bombing of “the Muslim world” with nuclear weapons.
The Facebook photo posted on Sunday night shows a mushroom cloud rising up through the air after the explosion of an atomic bomb with a text saying “Japan has been at peace with the US since August 9, 1945. It’s time we made peace with the Muslim world.”
On August 6, 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and three days later another atomic bomb on Nagasaki during World War II, killing at least 129,000 civilians and prompting Japan’s unconditional surrender.
Miller’s Facebook photo was removed sometime on Monday morning but it has received more than 300 comments.
He is now under harsh criticism but has not apologized for posting the controversial photo. His office has not responded to requests for comment.
Sid Miller will not apologize for the social media post that calls for the atomic bombing of “the Muslim world.”
Todd Smith, the Republican’s campaign spokesman, said that, “We’re not going to apologize for the posts that show up on our Facebook page.”
Smith said about 18 people have access to the campaign account. “I don’t know who did it, but I’m not going to start a witch hunt to find out who did.”
Texas Democrats released a statement Monday afternoon condemning Miller’s post.
“It is unacceptable for Republican Sid Miller to be promoting such disgusting rhetoric. Sadly, this kind of racist, xenophobic hate speech qualifies you for higher office with Republicans’ Tea Party fringe base,” said Manny Garcia, Texas Democratic Party’s deputy executive director.
“We hope Sid Miller shows some respect for Texans and the responsibility of holding state office and issues an apology,” he added.
In January, Miller said that he could not sleep at night for the fear of the United States becoming a “Muslim country.”
During the Texas Public Policy Foundation forum, he raised the issue, asking, “Are we doing enough?”