Rep. Randy Fine of Florida issued a strong rebuke after publicly labeling Ilhan Omar (D-MN) a “Muslim terrorist,” in remarks which House Democratic leadership has condemned as being unhinged, racist and Islamophobic.
On Tuesday, Omar voiced her disappointment over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned visit to Washington and demanded accountability for “war crimes.” In response, Rep. Fine posted to X/X.com saying, “I understand your difficulty seeing us welcome the killer of so many of your fellow Muslim terrorists – it is indeed shameful you serve in Congress!” Erie News Now (+1) Florida Politics.
That response triggered a swift outrage. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar issued a joint statement denouncing Fine’s remarks as unhinged, racist and Islamophobic as well as “bigoted and disgusting.” They noted the comments’ timing – coming “just weeks removed from heinous acts of political violence targeting elected officials in Minnesota for assassination”–while warning against further political violence due to such incendiary rhetoric. Erie News Now +2
“Members of Congress should focus on finding solutions for American citizens rather than inciting violence,” read the statement from Florida Democrats and Republicans, who called on Fine to apologize immediately and offer his condolences. [AOL and Notus News, both covered the story].
Fine’s response when pressed about his comments Wednesday was unequivocal: He dismissed Democrats’ outrage as ridiculous, calling them the “Hamas Caucus” and declaring: “Boo hoo. Guess they weren’t listening when I told them the Hebrew Hammer would arrive.” Florida Politics Erie News Now.
Fine responded with another post wherein he accused Democratic leaders of hypocrisy by not condemning Omar for her harsh criticisms of Netanyahu, while remaining silent over her harsh words about him. According to Jeffries’ office statement provided to CNN, Jeffries does not take issue with Ilhan Omar calling Bibi Netanyahu a war criminal but takes exception when confronted by Fine when doing it himself. (Wikipedia +8 Erie News Now + Florida Politics.)
Rep. Omar responded directly to Democrats defending Fine’s remarks by condemning them as anti-Muslim bigotry and warning that normalizing such language “endangers not only my life but all Muslims including those living in Fine’s district”. She requested Speaker Mike Johnson hold Fine accountable.
Florida Politics Erie News Now
Omar is one of the first Muslim women ever elected to Congress, but she has faced Islamophobic attacks throughout her tenure. Rep. Fine has an anti-Muslim history; earlier he said, “if you aren’t an Islamophobe then you are an idiot,” while calling for deportation of “non-citizen supporters of ‘Muslim terror'” following a deadly truck attack in New Orleans.
Wikipedia (Wikipedia).
This latest clash comes during an especially delicate moment for American politics, following recent violence in Minnesota where an elected state speaker was shot dead. Democrats fear inflammatory rhetoric might aggravate extremist threats while House leadership insists elected representatives have an obligation to de-escalate tensions rather than escalate tensions further.
Fine’s intransigence has drawn widespread condemnation from both Democrats and moderate Republicans who prioritize civility and restraint, yet his own party members and leadership remain silent about it.
As the conflict escalates, Democratic leaders have been pressuring Speaker Johnson to publicly denounce Fine’s remarks and demand accountability from him. Pressure for Johnson’s response is mounting amid national concern regarding increasing threats against lawmakers as a result of incendiary speech fueling these threats.
Democrats argue that, should Fine refuse to apologize, additional disciplinary measures may need to be considered, including censure; although such an action could escalate GOP divisions just months ahead of key midterm elections in 2026.