WASHINGTON: A fresh controversy over anti-Muslim rhetoric has erupted in the United States after Florida Republican Congressman Randy Fine posted a remark on social media, comparing Muslims to dogs.

His comment prompted condemnation from civil rights groups and a call for his resignation, which was also endorsed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Newsweek and other US media outlets reported.

“If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one,” Mr Fine wrote on X on Sunday, in response to an online debate.

The comment quickly drew nationwide criticism, with Mr Newsom responding: “Resign now, you racist slob.”

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organisation in North America, urged both Republican and Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives to condemn the remarks and seek Mr Fine’s resignation.

The group described the statement as dehumanising and part of a broader pattern of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian rhetoric.

CAIR said the lawmaker had in recent days labelled “Palestinian” identity as evil and had previously called for the destruction of what he termed “mainstream Muslims” as well as for the deportation of Muslims from the United States.

The organisation characterised such statements as an explicit call for violence and warned they could contribute to rising discrimination against American Muslims.

The latest post was made during an online exchange linked to comments by New York-based activist Nerdeen Kiswani about dogs as indoor pets. While Kiswani later said her own remarks were intended as a joke, critics said Fine’s response crossed a dangerous line by invoking a comparison widely viewed as dehumanising.

Fine, however, has defended his position and said he is “not afraid” of being labelled Islamophobic. He is also associated with a newly formed congressional group that says it is working to counter what it describes as the growing influence of Sharia, or Islamic religious law, in the United States.

The Republican lawmaker, who previously served in the Florida legislature and entered Congress after receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump, has faced repeated condemnation from Democrats, civil rights organisations and some Jewish groups over his past statements on Muslims and the Gaza conflict.

In an earlier move reflecting tensions on Capitol Hill, Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar had sought action against Fine, citing what she called a longstanding pattern of hateful rhetoric directed at Muslim lawmakers.

As of Monday afternoon, House Republican leadership had not announced any disciplinary action, but calls for Fine to step down continued to grow.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2026