Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, now an MSNBC host, recently suggested that the Republican Party is attempting to leverage Muslim Americans' opposition to LGBTQ+ curriculum in schools as a political strategy. This assertion, however, has been met with strong pushback from prominent Muslim figures who argue their concerns stem from religious freedom, not partisan politics.

On her show "Inside with Jen Psaki," Psaki stated that the GOP is "trying to recruit Muslim Americans… against… transgender people," drawing parallels to historical divisions the Republican Party has fostered. She further elaborated on her belief that the GOP's focus on issues like Sharia law is a tactic to instill fear within the Muslim community.

Ismail Royer, director of the Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team, criticized Psaki's comments as condescending, emphasizing Muslims' ability to make independent judgments. He asserted that Muslims are rejecting the left's "indoctrination" of children and are not simply being manipulated by the right.

This narrative echoes a previous MSNBC segment on "All in with Chris Hayes" which drew similar criticism from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). CAIR's national deputy director, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, rejected the notion that Muslims are being "wooed" by a "toxic agenda." He stressed that Muslims' concerns about public school curricula are genuine and independent of any political influence.

Mitchell criticized MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan for misrepresenting the concerns of Muslim families and for portraying them as pawns of the political right. He referenced a recent incident involving a Montgomery County Council member who apologized for linking Muslim parents opposing LGBTQ+ curriculum with white supremacists.

Muslim activist Sameerah Munshi echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the non-partisan nature of their faith and the importance of passing their values to their children. She criticized the expectation that Muslims must conform to certain viewpoints to have their rights respected.

The issue of gender ideology in school curricula extends beyond the U.S., with Muslim communities in Canada also voicing their opposition. This international dimension further complicates Psaki's claim, suggesting a broader concern among Muslims related to religious freedom and parental rights.

Fox News Digital reached out to MSNBC for comment but has not yet received a response.