Arizona Rep. John Gillette (R-LD30 ) is facing a dust up after a series of social media posts and public comments about Muslims prompted Arizona House Democrats to file an ethics complaint. However, as of mid-September 2025, the House Ethics Committee has declined to pursue formal action.
Gillette has made multiple posts on X in early September, many of which Democrats describe as “anti-Muslim, bigoted, and dangerous.” In these postings, he claimed that Muslim immigrants are attempting to push Sharia law in the U.S., and suggested many Muslims are “savages” tied to extremist violence, including referencing the 2012 Benghazi embassy attack.
When questioned in media interviews, Gillette clearly argued that he was not criticizing all Muslims, but rather extremists within Islam. He also defended his remarks as part of his First Amendment rights, saying that free speech must protect comments even if others find them offensive.
Gillette took the opportunity to remind his followers that he has been consistent. In January, he spoke against Governor Hobbs’ relationship with CAIR Arizona claiming they support Shiria Law.
Despite the complaints, Rep. Lupe Diaz (R-LD19), Chair of the House Ethics Committee, announced on September 12 that the committee would not take further action. Diaz reasoned that statements, even offensive ones, have traditionally been outside the purview of ethics investigations. The argument was made that investigating a lawmaker’s speech or beliefs is not something appropriate for the Ethics Committee, which should not be used to punish speech simply because others find it disagreeable.
The “Dead on Arrival” complaint referenced Gillette’s letter and encouraged offended members to read it. Here are those documents in their entirety.
So what’s next? It appears that Gillette is finished talking to left-leaning outlets who he claims did not report the entirety of the matter.
With the Ethics Committee declining to act, there is no formal disciplinary consequence for Rep. Gillette at this time.
And Gillette isn’t finished sharing his personal experiences with Muslims from his military career. Meanwhile, some Arizona Democrat leaders are now telling left-leaning outlets they feel “unsafe” around the GOP leader. One far-left paper even went so far as to call Gillette “unhinged.”
Watch our full video interview and decide for yourself.
You can find Rep. Gillette at
