Designates Congressman Randy Fine as 'Anti-Muslim Extremist' Following Nuclear Strike Comments on Gaza
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights organization, has officially designated Representative Randy Fine (R-FL) as an "anti-Muslim extremist" on its Islamophobia hate list, citing what the group calls "unceasingly violent rhetoric" directed at Muslims and Palestinians. The designation, announced in a press release this week, represents an unprecedented formal classification of a sitting member of Congress as an extremist by a significant civil rights organization.
The designation stems primarily from Fine's May 2025 television appearance, where he suggested the United States should use nuclear weapons against Gaza, comparing the situation to the atomic bombings of Japan during World War II. When challenged about these remarks, Fine doubled down with what CAIR characterized as "racist and dehumanizing" comments, claiming half of Gaza's population is "married to their cousins" and has "mental defects".
The Nuclear Strike Controversy That Sparked Formal Designation
Television Appearance Crosses New Lines
Fine's designation as an extremist traces back to his May 22, 2025 interview on Fox News, where he advocated for nuclear strikes against the Gaza Strip following a shooting incident involving Israeli personnel in Washington, D.C. "During World War II, we did not engage in negotiations for surrender with the Nazis or the Japanese," Fine stated during the interview. "We resorted to nuclear strikes against Japan to secure an unconditional surrender. The same approach should be applied here".
The Florida congressman's remarks represented a significant escalation in his rhetoric against Palestinians. According to Salon, Fine further commented on Palestinian culture during the interview, asserting that "there is something profoundly wrong with this culture, and it must be overcome". His call for nuclear action aligned with his broader aggressive stance regarding Palestinian territories, as he remarked there was "nothing peaceful about pro-Palestinian demonstrations" and insisted that "these demons must be subdued by any means necessary".
Racist Response to Criticism
When questioned about his genocidal rhetoric, Fine's response drew particularly sharp condemnation from civil rights groups. According to CAIR's documentation, he claimed that half of Gaza's population is "married to their cousins" and has "mental defects," adding that "you've got to have a mental defect to interpret the comment that way". This response prompted CAIR to formalize their extremist designation, noting that "despite the extremity of these remarks, Fine has not yet been censured or publicly criticized by his own party's leadership".
Pattern of Anti-Muslim and Anti-Palestinian Rhetoric
Years of Documented Incidents
CAIR's designation draws on what the organization describes as years of documented anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian statements from Fine. According to the Islamophobia.org database, Fine's problematic rhetoric dates back to at least 2021, when he began openly endorsing violence against Muslims and Palestinians on social media.
In June 2021, Fine responded to an image of a Palestinian infant reportedly killed by an Israeli airstrike with "Thanks for the pic!" That same year, he defended the bombing of a building containing American journalists, publicly responding "Yes!" to a post inquiring whether it was acceptable that reporters were among the targets.
The pattern continued with private messages to constituents. According to documented evidence, Fine privately wrote "Go blow yourself up!" to a Florida Muslim who challenged his social media posts, invoking what CAIR characterizes as an "Islamophobic trope that Muslims are prone to violence or suicide bombings".
Escalation Following October 7, 2023
Fine's rhetoric intensified significantly following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. In December 2023, as Palestinians awaited humanitarian aid, Fine mocked them on social media, posting: "Stop the trucks. Let them eat rockets. There are plenty of those. #BombsAway". CAIR noted that Fine's statement to deny Palestinians lifesaving aid "effectively amounts to collective punishment of a civilian population".
In September 2024, Fine celebrated the killing of 26-year-old Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, writing that it was "One less #MuslimTerrorist" and encouraging the Israeli government to "#FireAway". This statement particularly drew condemnation for promoting violence against American citizens.
Threats Against Fellow Members of Congress
Direct Intimidation of Muslim Congresswomen
Perhaps most concerning to civil rights advocates were Fine's direct threats against fellow members of Congress. In November 2024, Fine warned Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) that they should "consider leaving before [he] gets there," followed by "#BombsAway". Legal experts characterized this as an open threat against two Muslim members of Congress.
Later in 2025, Fine escalated his attacks on Tlaib, calling her a "Muslim terrorist" and once again endorsing the withholding of aid from Palestinian civilians. These direct attacks on fellow legislators represent what CAIR describes as an unprecedented level of hostility from one member of Congress toward others based on their religious identity.
Broader Anti-Muslim Agenda
Fine's rhetoric extends beyond individual attacks to broader policy positions targeting the Muslim American community. In January 2025, he posted on social media that he was working on "the need to solve America's #MuslimProblem," invoking what CAIR characterizes as a common Islamophobic stereotype that portrays an entire religious community as threatening American national security.
CAIR's Formal Response and Demands
Unprecedented Extremist Designation
CAIR's formal designation of Fine as an "anti-Muslim extremist" represents the first time the organization has applied this label to a sitting member of Congress. The designation places Fine on CAIR's Islamophobia hate list alongside other individuals the organization considers to pose threats to Muslim Americans and Palestinian communities.
"For years, [Rep. Fine] has invoked Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian stereotypes and incited violence against Muslims and Palestinians at home and abroad without impunity," CAIR's designation states.
The organization emphasized that Fine's May 2025 nuclear weapons comments crossed a line from inflammatory rhetoric to explicit calls for genocide. According to CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, "Let's be clear: Randy Fine is not just a dangerous bigot. He is a sitting member of Congress openly fantasizing about the nuclear genocidal extermination of Palestinians".
Congressional Action Demanded
CAIR has issued specific demands for congressional leadership to address Fine's extremist rhetoric. The organization continues to call on Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to "immediately and publicly condemn Fine's genocidal remarks, censure him, and remove him from his congressional committee assignments".
Additionally, CAIR has urged all members of Congress to
"Refuse to work with Fine and confront his extremism whenever it appears," and for the House to "formally censure Fine and remove him from all committee and caucus assignments".
Florida's Counter-Attack on CAIR
State Legislature Denounces Civil Rights Organization
In a remarkable turn of events, Fine successfully led efforts in the Florida House of Representatives to pass a resolution denouncing CAIR itself. House Resolution 1209, introduced by Fine, passed by an overwhelming 98-15 margin and encourages all state and local government agencies in Florida to "suspend contact and outreach activities" with CAIR.
Fine justified the anti-CAIR resolution by citing the organization's "extensive history of terror connections and anti-Jewish bigotry," according to the Middle East Forum. The resolution references CAIR founder Nihad Awad's November 2024 speech, where he said he was "happy to see people breaking the siege" on October 7, referring to the Hamas attacks.
Bipartisan Opposition to CAIR
The Florida resolution received significant bipartisan support, with Fine noting that the overwhelming vote demonstrates CAIR has "no place in this state". T” The resolution follows similar actions by other states, with Arkansas and Louisiana having passed anti-CAIR bills in previous years, and the United Arab Emirates labeling CAIR as a terrorist organization in 2014.
Fine defended his approach during floor debate, stating: "Six weeks after October [7th]—the deaths of 1,200 Jews, people who were burned, people who had their head cut off with farm equipment, babies that were lit on fire—he said it made him 'happy' and he still has the job".
Political Context and Congressional Career
Recent Election Victory
Fine's extremist designation comes as he transitions from state to federal politics. The former gambling executive won a special election in April 2025 for Florida's 6th congressional district, a deep-red seat on the state's northeast coast. His victory brings his controversial style of politics from Tallahassee to Washington, D.C.
According to Politico, Fine gained a reputation during his nine years in the Florida Legislature for his "bare-knuckle style of politics and spats with local officials". Florida state Senator Joe Gruters characterized Fine's approach: "Somebody punches him, he throws the biggest haymaker that's around at his opponents, and that goes for Republicans and Democrats".
The 'Hebrew Hammer' Persona
Fine has embraced the nickname "Hebrew Hammer," given to him by fellow Republicans, and has positioned himself as the only Jewish Republican for most of his time in state government. He has stated that a key reason for his political involvement is supporting pro-Israel causes, but critics argue his rhetoric has crossed from advocacy into extremism.
His confrontational style has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried called him an "asshole" as well as a "bad politician and a bad person." At the same time, even Governor Ron DeSantis has clashed with Fine over various issues.
Local Controversies and Patterns of Behavior
School Board Conflicts
Fine's controversial behavior extends beyond anti-Muslim rhetoric to local governance issues. Three years ago, he called a school board member "a whore" in a text message, according to Politico. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Facebook sanctioned him after he posted information about a school board meeting that included a board member's phone number.
His confrontational approach also extended to courtrooms. A judge sent Fine to anger management after pictures surfaced appearing to show him giving the middle finger during a virtual hearing, though Fine insisted he was "scratching his forehead".
'Terrorist Rag' Comment
In March 2025, while serving in the Florida State Senate, Fine told a member of the public wearing a keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian culture, to "enjoy your terrorist rag". When people began to protest his comment, he threatened to empty the room, stating: "I'm the chairman, I can say whatever I want. If you don't like it, you can leave."
This incident exemplifies what critics describe as Fine's pattern of using his official position to intimidate and demean individuals from communities he targets with his rhetoric.
Civil Rights Organizations Respond
CAIR's Comprehensive Documentation
CAIR has meticulously documented Fine's anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian statements over multiple years. The organization sent a letter last month to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives and more than 1,600 congressional staffers, urging them to condemn Fine's "dangerously anti-Muslim, anti-American, and anti-Palestinian rhetoric".
The comprehensive nature of CAIR's documentation includes social media posts, public statements, official comments during hearings, and private communications. This extensive record formed the basis for their formal designation as extremists.
Broader Civil Rights Concerns
The designation of a sitting congressman as an extremist raises broader questions about the boundaries of acceptable political discourse and the responsibilities of elected officials. CAIR emphasized that Fine's rhetoric "endangers American Muslims and Palestinians" and represents "explicit incitement to violence".
Robert McCaw of CAIR noted that Fine's "deranged rhetoric is not only morally reprehensible but also deeply damaging to the Trump administration's stated efforts to establish a ceasefire and pursue peace in the region".
National Security and Foreign Policy Implications
Impact on Middle East Policy
Fine's extremist rhetoric comes at a sensitive time for U.S. Middle East policy. His calls for nuclear strikes against Gaza and systematic dehumanization of Palestinians contradict stated U.S. diplomatic objectives in the region. CAIR argued that his positions make him "a Make Israel Great Republican, no matter how many civilians have to be murdered to prove it".
The timing of Fine's most inflammatory comments, coming during ongoing international efforts to establish ceasefires and provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, has drawn criticism from foreign policy experts who argue such rhetoric undermines American diplomatic credibility.
Domestic Security Concerns
Civil rights advocates warn that Fine's rhetoric could inspire domestic violence against Muslim Americans and Palestinian communities. His use of dehumanizing language and explicit calls for violence against entire populations follows patterns that historically have preceded hate crimes and domestic terrorism incidents.
The combination of Fine's official position and his extremist rhetoric creates what CAIR describes as a dangerous precedent for normalizing anti-Muslim bigotry and violence in American political discourse.
Congressional Response and Accountability
Leadership's Silence
Despite CAIR's formal extremist designation and widespread documentation of Fine's inflammatory rhetoric, Republican congressional leadership has remained largely silent. CAIR specifically noted that "despite the extremity of these remarks, Fine has not yet been censured or publicly criticized by his own party's leadership".
This silence from party leadership has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates who argue it represents tacit acceptance of extremist rhetoric from elected officials. The lack of internal party discipline contrasts sharply with previous instances in which members of Congress faced consequences for making inflammatory statements.
Precedent for Future Actions
CAIR's extremist designation of Fine establishes a precedent for how civil rights organizations may respond to what they consider dangerous rhetoric from elected officials. The formal designation process, complete with comprehensive documentation and public database listing, represents a new level of institutional response to political extremism.
Washington D.C.-based CAIR indicated it will "continue working with allied organizations, civil rights leaders, and elected officials to hold Rep. Fine accountable and ensure that no member of Congress is allowed to promote violence without facing consequences".
Long-term Implications for Political Discourse
Normalization of Extremist Rhetoric
Fine's case raises fundamental questions about the boundaries of acceptable political discourse in American democracy. His progression from inflammatory social media posts to explicit calls for genocide represents what experts describe as a dangerous normalization of extremist rhetoric in mainstream politics.
The failure of institutional checks—including party leadership, congressional ethics processes, and media accountability—to address Fine's rhetoric before it escalated to calls for nuclear strikes highlights potential weaknesses in democratic safeguards against political extremism.
Impact on Vulnerable Communities
Muslim American and Palestinian communities have expressed particular concern about the precedent Fine's unchecked rhetoric sets for other political figures. Community leaders worry that the lack of consequences for explicitly extremist language from elected officials will encourage similar rhetoric from other politicians seeking to appeal to anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian sentiment.
The designation also highlights broader concerns about the political weaponization of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian rhetoric in American politics, particularly as these communities face increasing discrimination and violence.
A Watershed Moment for Political Accountability
CAIR's formal designation of Representative Randy Fine as an "anti-Muslim extremist" represents an unprecedented response to what the organization characterizes as dangerous rhetoric from a sitting member of Congress. The comprehensive documentation of Fine's statements—from nuclear strike advocacy to dehumanizing comments about Palestinians to direct threats against fellow lawmakers—has created what may be a watershed moment for political accountability in American democracy.
The contrast between CAIR's detailed extremist designation and the silence from congressional leadership highlights the challenge of addressing political extremism within existing institutional frameworks. Fine's successful counter-attack through the Florida House resolution denouncing CAIR demonstrates how extremist rhetoric can be politically weaponized even as it faces civil rights challenges.
As Fine transitions from state to federal politics, his case will likely serve as a test of whether democratic institutions can effectively address extremist rhetoric from elected officials. The outcome may determine not only Fine's political future but also the broader boundaries of acceptable political discourse in American democracy.
The designation highlights the growing role of civil rights organizations in documenting and responding to political extremism when traditional accountability mechanisms are unable to do so. Whether this approach will prove effective in curbing extremist rhetoric or will simply further polarize an already divided political landscape remains to be seen.
For Muslim American and Palestinian communities, CAIR's action represents both validation of their concerns about Fine's dangerous rhetoric and a warning about the challenges they face in an increasingly hostile political environment. The organization's promise to continue working toward Fine's accountability suggests this controversy will remain a significant issue as he begins his congressional career.