US lawmakers demand Randy Fine resign over 'dogs vs. Muslims' remark

2026-02-17 - 05:15

A firestorm of bipartisan criticism engulfed Florida Congressman Randy Fine on Monday following his social media post Sunday comparing Muslims unfavorably to dogs. Responding to a statement by Palestinian-American activist Nerdeen Kiswani about dogs being considered unclean in some interpretations, Fine wrote on X: "If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one." Democratic Lawmakers Condemn "Disgusting Bigotry" California Rep. Ro Khanna demanded Fine be censured as a matter of "morality and decency, not politics," calling the remarks "disgusting bigotry." Arizona Rep. Yassamin Ansari noted Fine "has repeatedly dehumanized Muslims without consequence," urging House Speaker Mike Johnson to reprimand him and stating Fine should resign if he cannot meet basic standards of human dignity. New Jersey Rep. Rob Menendez questioned whether Johnson, as a Christian, is obligated to speak out against hateful rhetoric or will "continue to remain silent." Republicans Urged to Break Silence California Rep. Eric Swalwell warned that every Republican failing to condemn the vitriol "only gives it more oxygen." Texas Rep. Marc Veasey called Fine's behavior "blatantly racist." Maryland Rep. Johnny Olszewski and Ohio Rep. Shontel Brown both condemned the "blatant Islamophobia" as unacceptable from a member of Congress. California Gov. Gavin Newsom demanded Fine's resignation, labeling him a "racist slob." CAIR: "Modern Klansman and Nazi" The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest Muslim civil rights organization, issued a searing condemnation, describing Fine as "a modern Klansman and Nazi all wrapped into one, only his targets are Muslims and Palestinians." The group cited his previous calls for destruction of all "mainstream Muslims" and genocide in Gaza, urging congressional leaders to demand his immediate resignation.