Democrats Call for Randy Fine’s Resignation Over ‘Islamophobic’ Comments

Democrats are chastising Rep. Randy Fine over a series of what they called Islamophobic comments after the lawmaker — who represents Florida and serves on the House’s Foreign Affairs Committee — suggested repeatedly he would prefer to live alongside dogs rather than Muslim people.

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

Most of Fine’s replies on X feature images of the Gadsden flag, replacing the image of a snake with pictures of dogs alongside the motto “DON’T TREAD ON ME.”

His remarks follow a joke about the number of dogs in New York City made by pro-Palestine activist Nerdeen Kiswani in a post on X last week. Fine has sought to portray Kiswani, who supported New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani during his campaign, as a key adviser to the mayor and suggested that a ban on dogs in the Big Apple was a real possibility.

“Finally, NYC is coming to Islam. Dogs definitely have a place in society, just not as indoor pets. Like we’ve said all along, they are unclean,” Kiswani, who does not have a formal role in the Mamdani administration, posted to X last week. She has since clarified her remarks.

“It’s obviously a joke,” said the activist and co-founder of pro-Palestine advocacy group Within Our Lifetime, while explaining that unscooped dog poop was a source of ongoing frustration for New Yorkers.

Fine, who has voiced anti-Muslim sentiments in the past, did not back down despite a chorus of criticism, tying Kiswani’s comments to a number of unrelated grievances, including the alleged threat of Sharia Law to the United States and a dog registered to vote in California.

A number of prominent Democrats are now calling for Fine to be reprimanded.

“This is genuinely one of the most disgusting statements I have ever seen issued by an American official,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X, adding, “Fine should be censured & stripped of committees. To ignore this is to accept and normalize it.”

Rep. Dan Goldman also replied, describing it as an “unacceptable and revolting Islamophobic comment” in his post, adding, “[Speaker Mike Johnson] must show some actual leadership by bringing a censure resolution to the floor and stripping [Rep. Fine] of his committee assignments.”

But Fine pushed back on a radio show hosted by conservative commentator Scott Jennings Tuesday.

“What does surprise me is that Democrats have chosen to be on the side of puppy killing,” Fine told Jennings of attacks he has received from the left.

Other Democrats called for his resignation.

“This is disgusting Islamophobia and dangerous bigotry from Rep. Fine,” Rep. Robert Garcia posted on X, adding, “he should be forced to resign.”

“Resign now, you racist slob,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom replied.

Advocates have also condemned Fine’s comments.

“The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on Republican and Democratic congressional leaders to condemn and call for the resignation of Rep. Randy Fine,” the organization’s press release said.