A social media post by Florida Congressman Randy Fine comparing Muslims with dogs has ignited a storm in Washington after he wrote that choosing between dogs and Muslims “is not a difficult one.” The remark has drawn backlash from Democrats, civil rights groups and prompted calls for disciplinary action or resignation.
In a post on X, the US Representative wrote: “If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.”
Fine later added context by sharing a screenshot of a message from Palestinian-American activist Nerdeen Kiswani. In an interview with conservative outlet Newsmax, he said: “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,” he said.
ACTIVIST RESPONDS, SAYS POST WAS SATIRE
In her earlier post, Nerdeen Kiswani had said dogs were “unclean” and wrote that “NYC is coming to Islam.” Kiswani later said the remark was satire tied to a local debate in New York about dog waste in public spaces and was meant to mock alarmist narratives portraying Muslim political influence as a threat.
She also pointed to past comments by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about killing a dog on her farm, writing: “Kristi Noem literally bragged about shooting her own dog and most of you did not bat an eyelash. 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 accused Fine of having a “documented pattern of dehumanizing Palestinians and Muslims” and said there was a “troubling pattern” of anti-Muslim rhetoric from elected officials going unchecked compared with language directed at other communities.
RESIGNATION CALLS GROW
The Congressman’s comments were denounced across the political spectrum. The Council on American-Islamic Relations said Fine had a history of inflammatory rhetoric and urged congressional leaders to demand accountability. The group said calls for his resignation were “long overdue”.
Several Democratic lawmakers echoed that view. Representative Robert Garcia described the post as “disgusting Islamophobia and dangerous bigotry,” adding that Fine “should be forced to resign” after losing committee roles. Representative Yassamin Ansari said House Speaker Mike Johnson should “reprimand him immediately,” arguing that Fine had “repeatedly dehumanized Muslims without consequence.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom also weighed in online, telling Fine: “Resign now, you racist slob.” English broadcaster Piers Morgan similarly rebuked the congressman, calling him a “disgusting pr*ck” in a direct reply.
RANDY FINE PUSHES BACK ON BACKLASH
Despite the backlash, Fine has doubled down. He shared images of dogs over a yellow background bearing the phrase “Don’t Tread On Me,” a slogan associated with the historic Gadsden flag. Responding to critics online, he wrote: “what is disgusting is a major NYC Muslim leader saying we must give up our dogs because ‘NYC is coming to Islam.'”
Fine added: “We will not be shamed into being conquered like the Europeans.”
In other posts, he challenged critics, writing: “An alleged comment? IT WAS IN WRITING, POSTED TO X, AND SEEN MILLIONS OF TIMES BEFORE I RESPONDED.”
The first-term congressman, elected in a special vote less than a year ago, has previously faced criticism for remarks related to the Gaza conflict. Last year he drew condemnation, including from some Republicans, after posting that Gazans should “starve away” until Israeli hostages were freed.
Fine is known as a staunch supporter of Israel and has consistently defended its military campaign against Hamas.
