Rep. Fine doubles down on inflammatory comments about Muslim Americans as city leadership unites against hate speech
Republican Congressman Randy Fine of Florida ignited a firestorm of condemnation this week after posting a series of inflammatory social media messages containing anti-Muslim rhetoric aimed at New York City Muslim leaders. The comments specifically targeted groups and individuals who supported Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s election campaign, further polarizing an already contentious national debate around religious tolerance and political discourse.
The Initial Post and Escalating Controversy
On Sunday, Fine posted to the social media platform X: “If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.” The post was directed at comments made by Nerdeen Kiswani, co-founder of the pro-Palestinian activist group “Within Our Lifetime,” in which Kiswani made statements about dogs being “unclean” according to some Islamic teachings and referenced the demographic future of New York City. Fine then added a follow-up post with context, writing: “For context, this is the leader of one of the key mainstream Muslim groups that supported Mamdani,” connecting the controversy directly to the new NYC mayor and his political base. The inflammatory post sparked immediate backlash from Democratic lawmakers, civil rights organizations, and Mayor Mamdani’s administration. Multiple elected officials called for Fine’s resignation, pointing to a documented pattern of dehumanizing rhetoric directed at Muslims and Palestinians throughout his brief congressional career.
Calls for Resignation from Democratic Leadership
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a blistering statement condemning Fine’s remarks as “Islamophobic, disgusting and unrepentant bigotry.” Jeffries went further, criticizing House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans more broadly for failing to hold their colleague accountable. “It is unacceptable that Mike Johnson and House Republicans continue to remain silent. Their casual acceptance of hateful and divisive language enables this out-of-control behavior,” Jeffries said. Representatives Robert Garcia of California and Yassamin Ansari of Arizona also called for Fine’s removal from committees and resignation from Congress. Garcia characterized the post as “disgusting Islamophobia and dangerous bigotry.” California Governor Gavin Newsom, though not directly responsible for congressional discipline, responded to Fine on X with the stark message: “Resign now, you racist slob.” The breadth of Democratic condemnation reflected recognition that Fine’s rhetoric goes beyond normal political disagreement into territory that degrades the dignity of entire communities based on religious identity.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations Response
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization, issued a formal statement demanding congressional action against Fine. CAIR pointed to Fine’s previous inflammatory comments about Gaza and Hamas, noting that this latest incident represents merely the most recent manifestation of a sustained pattern of bigoted rhetoric. “Leaders of Congress across the political spectrum should demand his resignation, which is long overdue,” CAIR stated. The organization emphasized that Fine’s dehumanizing language contributes to a climate of hostility toward Muslim Americans, coinciding with documented increases in hate crimes and discrimination targeting Muslim communities nationwide. For more on Muslim American civil rights issues, see CAIR’s official resources documenting hate incidents and policy advocacy.
The Context of Kiswani’s Original Statement
In subsequent communications, Nerdeen Kiswani clarified that her original comment about dogs being “unclean” was meant as satire responding to a “hyper local NYC conversation” about dog waste management following a recent snowstorm. She accused Fine of deliberately misinterpreting her satirical comment to fuel anti-Muslim sentiment and draw attention away from his own documented pattern of inflammatory statements. Kiswani noted that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced far less serious congressional consequences after publicly discussing killing her own dog on her farm. She argued that the differential treatment reflects a troubling double standard in which Muslim Americans’ statements receive disproportionate scrutiny and condemnation compared to similar statements from non-Muslim figures. “A Muslim in NYC says maybe the city is not the best place for pets and it is days of death threats from MAGA and Zionists,” Kiswani wrote on X, pointing to the severity of harassment that followed Fine’s inflammatory post. The fact-checking required to address Fine’s distortion of Kiswani’s statement underscores a broader problem: political figures weaponizing isolated comments to fuel prejudice against entire religious communities.
Fine’s Refusal to Retract or Apologize
Rather than apologizing or acknowledging criticism, Fine doubled down on his original comments during a Tuesday appearance on the conservative media outlet Newsmax. “My post was in response to a major Muslim leader saying dogs should be forbidden from New York City because to some Muslims, it bothers them. Well if they’re going to make us choose between our dogs and them going home, the choice is easy,” Fine stated. Fine continued posting inflammatory content after his initial post, sharing images of dogs against a bright yellow background styled to resemble the Revolutionary War-era Gadsden flag, with the message “Don’t Tread On Me.” He replied to criticism from broadcaster Piers Morgan by asserting: “What is disgusting is a major NYC Muslim leader saying we must give up our dogs because ‘NYC is coming to Islam.’ We will not be shamed into being conquered like the Europeans.” The escalating rhetoric from Fineincluding references to being “conquered” and implications of cultural invasionmoves beyond discrete controversial comments into sustained dehumanizing discourse.
Fine’s Record on Middle East and Immigration Issues
Fine’s rhetoric about Muslims must be understood within the context of his broader legislative record. The congressman has been an ardent supporter of Israeli government military operations in Gaza, repeatedly defending the country’s conduct during its ongoing war with Hamas. Last year, Fine faced criticism from fellow Republicans, including then-Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, after posting that Gazans should “starve away” until Hamas released Israeli hostages. The post represented an extreme statement even by the standards of supporters of Israeli military action. For policy analysis on Palestinian rights and Gaza-related issues, the Human Rights Watch provides detailed documentation of military operations’ humanitarian impact. Fine also took office less than a year ago in a special election, meaning he has had limited time in Congress yet has already established himself as a reliably inflammatory voice on issues touching Islam, Muslims, and the Middle East. His consistent pattern of inflammatory rhetoric suggests these are not isolated lapses in judgment but rather deliberate positioning within an increasingly extreme faction of Republican politics.
The Silence of House Republican Leadership
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office has not issued a statement responding to calls for Fine’s resignation or discipline. The absence of Republican condemnation of Fine’s anti-Muslim rhetoric stands in sharp contrast to the immediate Democratic response, underscoring the partisan divide on questions of religious tolerance and civil discourse. This silence also reflects the broader challenge facing Republican leadership of managing extreme voices within their caucus without triggering primary challenges from further-right figures. For additional analysis of congressional ethics and disciplinary procedures, the Federation of American Scientists provides detailed guides to the congressional process. The political dynamics suggest that absent sustained constituent pressure or media attention, Fine is unlikely to face meaningful consequences from Republican leadership. His comments will likely be filed away as part of an ongoing pattern rather than triggering a serious effort at accountability. Meanwhile, Muslim Americans and their allies in civil rights organizations will continue to document the pattern and advocate for cultural and political change that might eventually constrain similar rhetoric.
