Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican from Florida, is currently at the center of a public debate following a post he made on social media. In his post, he stated that if forced to choose, he would pick dogs over Muslims. This statement has led to many people asking him to leave his job in the U.S. government. Democratic leaders and civil rights groups say his words are a sign of hate against a religious group. Rep. Fine has not apologized. Instead, he has gone on news programs to say he stands by what he wrote. He claims his words are about protecting American values. Meanwhile, his opponents say his behavior is not fit for a member of Congress. The situation has created a deep split in the House of Representatives as leaders decide what to do next.
Chronology of Events and Key Figures
The following table shows the progression of this event over the last several days in February 2026.
| Date | Event | Key Figures involved |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 15-16, 2026 | Rep. Fine posts on X (formerly Twitter) comparing dogs and Muslims. | Randy Fine, Nerdeen Kiswani |
| Feb 17, 2026 | Democratic leaders and CA Governor call for Fine’s resignation. | Gavin Newsom, Hakeem Jeffries |
| Feb 18, 2026 | Fine appears on Newsmax to defend his statements. | Randy Fine |
| Feb 19, 2026 | House members discuss official punishments (censure or expulsion). | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ro Khanna |
The core of this event is a social media exchange that quickly moved from a private debate to a national political issue involving high-ranking officials.
Randy Fine (R-FL): A first-term Republican Congressman who made the initial comments.
Nerdeen Kiswani: A Palestinian-American activist whose post about dogs sparked Fine's response.
Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY): House Minority Leader who suggested there would be consequences for Fine’s words.
Gavin Newsom: Governor of California who publicly called Fine a "racist."
Evidence: Statements and Social Media Records
The primary evidence in this case comes from public social media posts and recorded interviews.
Randy Fine (on X): "If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one."
Nerdeen Kiswani (on X): "Dogs definitely have a place in society, just not as indoor pets. Good luck bringing that to California."
Records show that Fine used an altered flag illustration to respond to critics on social media.
In an interview with Newsmax, Fine continued to support his original message despite the backlash.
Public statements from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ro Khanna show a formal effort to begin the process of "censure," which is a formal way for Congress to say a member did something wrong.
Comparison of Perspectives
The Argument for Removal and Censure
Many officials believe that Rep. Fine’s words make him unable to represent all people in his district. Gavin Newsom described him as a "racist slob," and Rep. Brendan Boyle called him an "ugly bigot." These critics argue that comparing a religious group to animals is a form of dehumanization. They also point out that Fine has a history of making strong, controversial statements. The main concern for this group is that allowing such language goes against the rules of the House of Representatives.
The Argument from Rep. Fine and His Supporters
Rep. Fine maintains that his comments were a response to what he sees as a threat from "radical Islam." He argues that he is protecting a Western way of life where pets like dogs are valued. He has not backed down from his post and has used his appearances on conservative media to frame the debate as a matter of national security and cultural values. Some of his supporters see his words as a direct way of speaking about religious differences regarding animals.
The Question of Satire
Nerdeen Kiswani, the activist whose post started the exchange, stated that her original comment about dogs was "satire." She said she was making a joke about how some people fear Muslim leaders in U.S. cities. This raises a question: Did Rep. Fine misunderstand a joke, or did he use the joke as an excuse to share his existing views? Evidence shows Fine treated the comment as a serious threat to the American lifestyle.
Analysis of the Situation
The impact of these comments is being felt within the halls of Congress. Investigative data suggests that the reaction is mostly divided along party lines, though some describe the backlash as "bipartisan."
Hakeem Jeffries, the leader of the Democrats in the House, has issued a clear warning. He stated that if Democrats take control of the House in the future, there will be "consequences" for Rep. Fine. This suggests that even if Fine is not removed now, his career may face long-term challenges.
Expert observers note that the House of Representatives has the power to punish its own members. However, expulsion (removing a member completely) is very rare and requires a very high number of votes. Censure is more common but does not remove the person from office.
Current Findings and Next Steps
The investigation into the impact of Rep. Fine's comments reveals the following:
Rep. Fine remains in office: Despite calls from governors and high-ranking members of Congress, he has not resigned.
Official Punishment is being discussed: Members like Ro Khanna and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are pushing for a formal vote to "censure" Fine.
Political Tension is increasing: This event has added to the existing friction between Republicans and Democrats regarding religious freedom and social media behavior.
Unresolved Questions: It is currently unclear if the Republican leadership in the House, including Speaker Mike Johnson, will take any action against Fine.
The next steps will likely involve a debate on the House floor. If a motion to censure is filed, members will have to vote publicly on whether Fine's words crossed a line that requires a formal penalty.
Sources Used
USA Today: Anti-Muslim 'dogs' post prompts calls for Republican congressman to resign (Details on the social media post and the calls for resignation).
NBC News: Republican congressman's anti-Muslim remark prompts calls for his resignation (Coverage of the Newsmax interview and Democratic response).
Sky News: Calls for US congressman Randy Fine to quit for suggesting he would choose dogs over Muslims (Details on Fine's history and Kiswani's satirical comment).
Mediaite: Republican Randy Fine Faces Bipartisan Backlash Over Disgusting Anti-Muslim Post (Context on the exchange between Fine and Rep. Yassamin Ansari).
Common Dreams: ‘Expel Randy Fine Immediately’: Vile Bigotry of GOP Lawmaker Sparks Calls for His Ouster (Information on the push for censure by AOC and Ro Khanna).
Newsweek: Gavin Newsom demands "racist slob" Randy Fine resign (Direct quotes from Governor Newsom and other Democratic representatives).
Raw Story: 'Sick extremist': MAGA Republican threatened with retribution if GOP loses House (Analysis of Hakeem Jeffries' statement regarding future consequences).