WASHINGTON: A growing number of US lawmakers have called for Florida Republican Congressman Randy Fine to step down after he posted inflammatory comments about Muslims on social media.
Fine wrote on X that “the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one,” in response to a post by Palestinian-American activist Nerdeen Kiswani about cultural views on dogs. His statement drew immediate backlash from Democratic representatives and civil rights groups.
California Representative Ro Khanna condemned the remarks as “disgusting bigotry” and urged Congress to censure Fine. Arizona Representative Yassamin Ansari accused him of repeatedly dehumanizing Muslims and pressed House Speaker Mike Johnson to take disciplinary action. New Jersey Representative Rob Menendez questioned whether Johnson would denounce the rhetoric or remain silent.
Other lawmakers, including California’s Eric Swalwell, Texas’ Marc Veasey, Maryland’s Johnny Olszewski and Ohio’s Shontel Brown, described the comments as racist and Islamophobic. California Governor Gavin Newsom also demanded Fine’s resignation, calling him a “racist slob.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued one of the strongest rebukes, labeling Fine “a modern Klansman and Nazi all wrapped into one” and urging congressional leaders to remove him from office.
The controversy has intensified pressure on Republican leadership to respond, as critics argue that silence only emboldens hateful rhetoric.
