Hakeem Jeffries blasts Rep Randy Fine as a 'disgusting and unrepentant bigot' over hateful post
WASHINGTON, DC: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) on Tuesday, February 17, issued a statement condemning Florida Representative Randy Fine and labeling him an "unrepentant bigot" following Fine's social media comments regarding Muslims and dogs.
Jeffries called the Republican lawmaker a "disgrace," slammed House Republicans for their silence on the matter, and warned that Fine would be held accountable if Democrats win control of the House in the upcoming elections.
Leader Jeffries’ statement on Randy Fine, says Democrats will hold Fine and others accountable “when the gavels change hands in November, if not sooner.” pic.twitter.com/GsXMDKbAPi
— Rachel Schilke (@rachel_schilke) February 17, 2026
Hakeem Jeffries condemns Randy Fine remarks
In a statement on Tuesday, Hakeem Jeffries called Randy Fine "disgusting and unrepentant bigot."
The conflict began after Palestinian-American activist Nerdeen Kiswani posted about the status of dogs as pets on X. She wrote, "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."
For context, this is the leader of one of the key mainstream Muslim groups that supported Mamdani. pic.twitter.com/zcIs4tVyly
— Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) February 15, 2026
Fine responded by stating, “If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.”
Jeffries argued that this kind of rhetoric encourages hate crimes and xenophobia against the Muslim community. He made it clear that "House Democrats will not let the racist and bigoted behavior of Randy Fine go unchecked."
Hakeem Jeffries blasts GOP silence on Randy Fine
Jeffries also criticized Republican leaders for staying silent about the situation. He stated, "It is unacceptable that Mike Johnson and House Republicans continue to remain silent."
A major Muslim leader in NYC is calling for dogs to be forbidden because they “bother some Muslims.”
— Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) February 17, 2026
If Mainstream Muslims make us choose between keeping our dogs and them going home, the choice is easy. pic.twitter.com/FvaLpYE0oB
He said that by not speaking up, they are allowing this "out-of-control behavior" to continue. He added, "Republican leaders must hold this so-called Member of Congress accountable."
Jeffries promised that things would change soon, stating that "Accountability is coming to all of these sick extremists when the gavels change hands in November, if not sooner."
He said it is the responsibility of Republican leadership to stop their members from using such divisive and hateful language.
Randy Fine doubles down amid backlash
Even though many people from both political parties condemned his remarks, Randy Fine did not retract them. During a subsequent appearance on NewsNation, Fine was confronted about the post and asked whether he wished to clarify or retract the statement, but he chose to double down instead.
He told the interviewer that "if they’re gonna make us choose between our dogs and them going home, the choice is easy" and stood by his original comment.
His refusal to apologize led Hakeem Jeffries to call him "unrepentant" and a "disgrace to the United States Congress."
