Full Breakdown
Assma Ali’s Municipal Judge Appointment Sparks Misinformation and Religious Backlash in Mississippi
8/13/2026, 12:29:58 AM
Appointment and Jurisdiction
In early August 2026, Assma Ali, a U.S.-born attorney of Yemeni descent, was sworn in as the municipal judge for Benoit, a Delta town of fewer than 400 residents. Mississippi’s municipal judges are appointed by each municipality and handle ordinance violations, traffic citations, misdemeanors and initial appearances. An attorney-general opinion permits judges in towns under 20,000 residents to reside outside the municipality, allowing Ali to keep her private practice in Ridgeland while serving Benoit.
Background & Context
Mississippi’s legal framework bars religious tests for public office, mirroring constitutional protections. Ali is the first openly Muslim woman wearing a hijab to hold a municipal judgeship in the state.
Misinformation About Location
Social-media posts claimed Ali had been appointed to courts in Ridgeland or Lumberton, cities 130 miles from Benoit. Ridgeland officials confirmed no new judicial appointments. Lumberton city attorney Rep. Jansen Owen stated, “I’m the City Attorney for Lumberton, MS. Any reports that this person has been appointed judge in our city is FALSE.” The Mississippi 2026 Judiciary Directory (July 14) lists only the two standing judges for Ridgeland and does not include Ali, disproving the Ridgeland claim.
Religious Backlash and Calls for Removal
Republican State Sen. Michael McLendon said, “I believe in God we trust not Mohamed (sic),” and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson warned, “I guarantee you this: I will ban Sharia law and the influence of Islam in Mississippi on Day One of my administration.” Their statements link Ali’s faith to alleged threats of Sharia law, despite no evidence that a municipal judge can impose religious law.
Official Responses
Attorney and Mississippi Christian University law professor Frank Rosenblatt described Ali as “very well liked and popular” and reiterated that both constitutions prohibit disqualifying officials on religious grounds.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The discrepancy centers on alleged appointment locations. Ali’s posts and Benoit’s meeting agenda confirm her oath of office for Benoit, while Ridgeland and Lumberton officials deny any appointment. No municipal records, meeting minutes, or official resolutions corroborate the Ridgeland or Lumberton claims, and the state judiciary directory as of July 14 lists no such appointment. The misinformation spread through conservative influencers and AI-generated responses that erroneously affirmed the false locations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I guarantee you this: I will ban Sharia law and the influence of Islam in Mississippi on Day One of my administration, by Executive Order and by Special Session, if necessary,” — Andy Gipson, commerce commissioner
- “I believe in God we trust not Mohamed (sic),” — State Sen. Michael McLendon
- “I'm the City Attorney for Lumberton, MS. Any reports that this person has been appointed judge in our city is FALSE,” — Rep. Jansen Owen, Lumberton city attorney