Ft Wayne Times

Rep. Marlin Stutzman, a U.S. Congressman from Indiana's 3rd district, has recently shared several statements on his social media account addressing both domestic and international issues.

On July 25, 2025, Rep. Stutzman commented on the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports, stating: "Men should never be competing in women’s sports! I applaud the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee for adhering to @POTUS’s order." The statement refers to ongoing debates about transgender athlete participation and follows recent actions by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to comply with federal directives regarding gender categories in sports competitions.

Turning to international matters, Rep. Stutzman addressed the conflict involving Hamas in a post dated July 26, 2025: "The senseless and violent attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, left devastating impacts on everyone in the region. Hamas killed 1,200 people in the attack and took 251 hostages. As of June, Hamas still holds 50 hostages in their possession." These remarks reflect widely reported figures from the October 7 attacks and ongoing concerns over hostages held by Hamas.

In another statement posted on July 26, Rep. Stutzman criticized France's decision regarding Palestinian statehood: "On July 24, 2025, French President Macron announced that France would officially recognize Palestine as a state, thereby endorsing the violence of Hamas and their cruel methods for political gain. As Americans, we cannot legitimize the violence used by terrorist organizations." This comment comes after French President Emmanuel Macron publicly declared recognition of Palestine as an independent state—an action that has drawn mixed reactions globally.

The October 7 attack referenced by Rep. Stutzman was part of a large-scale incursion into southern Israel by Hamas militants that resulted in significant casualties and numerous abductions [source](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67039975). International responses to this event have included heightened tensions across the Middle East and renewed discussions about hostage negotiations [source](https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-10-07-2023-cfcdc8bf28f6e74671f9c9c015de69d8).

France's move to recognize Palestinian statehood aligns with broader debates within Europe about support for a two-state solution amid ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict [source](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/frances-macron-says-recognition-palestinian-state-not-taboo-2024-05-28/). While some governments view such recognition as a step toward peace negotiations, others express concern it may embolden militant groups or undermine diplomatic efforts.

Rep. Stutzman's public positions reflect current divisions within American political discourse over issues related to both gender policies in athletics and foreign policy approaches concerning Middle Eastern conflicts.