Two GOP Reps. Facing Legal Troubles

Representatives Randy Fine and Max Miller accused of defamation and violating First Amendment rights

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:23am

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Two Republican members of Congress, Representative Randy Fine of Florida and Representative Max Miller of Ohio, are facing separate legal issues. Fine is being sued by the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and a Muslim entrepreneur for violating their First Amendment rights by blocking them on his official social media account. Miller is being sued for defamation by a Cleveland doctor after Miller allegedly filed a false police report accusing the doctor of threatening him.

Why it matters

These cases highlight growing concerns about elected officials using their social media platforms and government positions to target and silence critics, as well as make unsubstantiated claims against constituents. The lawsuits aim to set precedents around the First Amendment rights of citizens to engage with their representatives online and hold them accountable for their actions.

The details

In the case against Rep. Randy Fine, the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and Muslim entrepreneur Amjad Masad filed a federal lawsuit claiming Fine violated Masad's First Amendment rights by blocking him on Twitter after Masad mocked Fine's tweet saying he "prefers dogs over Muslims." Courts have previously ruled that blocking critics from an elected official's social media account is unconstitutional. In the case against Rep. Max Miller, Cleveland doctor Feras Hamdan is suing Miller for defamation after Miller allegedly filed a false police report claiming Hamdan threatened to kill him and his daughter in a road rage incident. Prosecutors later dropped all charges against Hamdan, finding Miller's accusations to be "malicious lies."

  • On July 9, 2019, a federal appeals court ruled that President Trump could not ban critics from his Twitter account, saying it violated the First Amendment.
  • In June 2025, Rep. Max Miller called 911 to report the alleged road rage incident with Dr. Hamdan.
  • Last month, the Pattakos Law Firm filed a defamation lawsuit against Rep. Miller on behalf of Dr. Hamdan.

The players

Randy Fine

A Republican member of Congress representing Florida's 17th district, who has been accused of making bigoted and racist statements on social media.

Max Miller

A Republican member of Congress representing Ohio's 16th district, who is being sued for defamation after allegedly filing a false police report against a constituent.

Amjad Masad

A Muslim entrepreneur who was blocked by Rep. Randy Fine on Twitter after mocking Fine's tweet saying he "prefers dogs over Muslims."

Feras Hamdan

A Cleveland doctor who is suing Rep. Max Miller for defamation after Miller allegedly filed a false police report accusing Hamdan of threatening him.

American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)

A civil rights organization that filed a federal lawsuit against Rep. Randy Fine for violating the First Amendment rights of Amjad Masad.

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What they’re saying

“I prefer dogs over Muslims.”

— Randy Fine, U.S. Representative (Twitter)

“Are you talking about what's for lunch?”

— Amjad Masad, Muslim Entrepreneur (Twitter)

“It was a great embarrassment of the Congressman and law enforcement officials whom he misled, as well as all the news outlets locally, nationally, and internationally which broadcast Miller's facially implausible accusations without applying even the slightest scrutiny to them.”

— Defense Attorney (freepress.org)

What’s next

The judge in the case against Rep. Randy Fine will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Amjad Masad's lawsuit to proceed. Rep. Max Miller's defamation case is still in the early stages of litigation.

The takeaway

These cases highlight the growing tension between elected officials and their constituents, as well as the need for greater accountability and scrutiny of the statements and actions of public servants. They also underscore the importance of protecting the First Amendment rights of citizens to engage with and criticize their representatives without fear of retaliation.