US Lawmaker Fine Condemned for Anti-Muslim Remarks

Rights advocates and Democrats call for accountability after Fine's controversial comments.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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U.S. Representative Randy Fine, a Republican from Florida, has faced widespread criticism and calls to resign after making anti-Muslim comments on social media. Fine said that "the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one," sparking outrage from rights groups, Democrats, and even some Republicans. Fine has a history of making inflammatory remarks about Muslims, which have led to him being designated as an anti-Muslim extremist.

Why it matters

Fine's comments reflect a concerning trend of rising Islamophobia in the U.S., fueled by factors like hardline immigration policies and white supremacist rhetoric. The backlash to his remarks highlights the importance of holding public officials accountable for promoting harmful biases and intolerance.

The details

On Sunday, Fine posted on X (formerly Twitter) saying "If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one." The post quickly went viral, garnering over 40 million views. Rights advocates and prominent Democrats, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have condemned Fine's remarks and called for him to resign. Jeffries described Fine as an "Islamophobic, disgusting and unrepentant bigot" and called on Republicans to hold him accountable.

  • On Sunday, Fine made the controversial comments on X.
  • As of Tuesday afternoon, Fine's post had over 40 million views.

The players

Randy Fine

A Republican U.S. Representative from Florida who has a history of making inflammatory anti-Muslim remarks.

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic Governor of California who called for Fine to resign over his comments.

Hakeem Jeffries

The Democratic House Minority Leader who condemned Fine as an "Islamophobic, disgusting and unrepentant bigot."

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

A Democratic U.S. Representative who said "To ignore this is to accept and normalize it" in response to Fine's remarks.

Council on American-Islamic Relations

A rights advocacy group that designated Fine as an anti-Muslim extremist last year.

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What they’re saying

“If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.”

— Randy Fine, U.S. Representative (X)

“To ignore this is to accept and normalize it.”

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, U.S. Representative (Twitter)

“Islamophobic, disgusting and unrepentant bigot.”

— Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader (Twitter)

What’s next

The House of Representatives may consider taking disciplinary action against Representative Fine for his comments, though the Republican majority may be reluctant to do so.

The takeaway

Representative Fine's remarks reflect a troubling rise in Islamophobia in the U.S., underscoring the need for political leaders to condemn such intolerance and promote inclusion and understanding between all communities.