US Lawmakers Demand Resignation of Congressman Over Anti-Muslim Remarks
The backlash came after Fine, a Republican from Florida, posted a response on the social media platform X to comments made by Palestinian-American activist Nerdeen Kiswani. In his post, he wrote: "If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one," reacting to Kiswani’s statement that dogs "definitely have a place in society, just not as indoor pets" because "they are unclean."
According to reports, Democratic members of Congress swiftly denounced Fine’s comments.
Representative Ro Khanna of California labeled the statement "disgusting bigotry," arguing that Fine should face censure as a matter of "morality and decency, not politics."
Arizona Representative Yassamin Ansari said Fine "has repeatedly dehumanized Muslims without consequence," and called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to formally rebuke him. She added that if Fine is unable to uphold basic standards of respect and human dignity, resignation would be appropriate.
New Jersey Representative Rob Menendez questioned whether Johnson, in light of his Christian faith, has a responsibility to confront hateful rhetoric or whether he will "continue to remain silent."
California Representative Eric Swalwell cautioned that any Republican who declines to condemn such rhetoric effectively enables it, stating that silence "only gives it more oxygen."
Texas Representative Marc Veasey described Fine’s conduct as "blatantly racist."
Lawmakers including Maryland Representative Johnny Olszewski and Ohio Representative Shontel Brown also spoke out, condemning what they characterized as "blatant Islamophobia," particularly troubling when expressed by a sitting member of Congress.
Outside of Congress, California Governor Gavin Newsom also called for Fine to resign, referring to him as a "racist slob."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), identified in reports as the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, issued a sharply worded response.
The group described Fine as "a modern Klansman and Nazi all wrapped into one, only his targets are Muslims and Palestinians," pointing to his past remarks advocating the destruction of all “mainstream Muslims” and calling for the genocide of everyone in Gaza. The organization urged congressional leaders to demand his resignation.
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