New Berlin Mayor Dave Ament faces backlash over social media posts

New Berlin Mayor Dave Ament is facing calls for his resignation following criticism of anti-Muslim content reposted on his personal Facebook page. Community leaders and the Wisconsin Muslim Journal have accused the mayor of sharing Islamophobic, sexist, and anti-Black content, including a post calling for the banning of Islam.

In response to the backlash, Ament stated that his personal social media activity does not represent the official position of the City of New Berlin. He maintained that his intention was to share information on matters of public concern rather than to disparage any group, though he expressed regret that his posts were construed as offensive. Ament announced he would be stepping back from social media to reflect on the situation.

Local advocates, including Janan Najeeb of the Muslim Women’s Coalition, have argued that elected officials should be held to a higher standard, noting that personal social media presence reflects the character of the person elected to office. Some constituents have expressed fear that such rhetoric could escalate into violence.