Civil rights group sues anti-Muslim Congressman Randy Fine for blocking US citizen on X
Civil Rights Group Files Lawsuit Against Anti-Muslim Congressman Randy Fine Over X Blocking
On Wednesday, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) announced it has initiated a federal legal action against Florida Republican Congressman Randy Fine, accusing him of infringing on First Amendment rights by blocking an American citizen who challenged his views on the social media platform X.
The ADC collaborated with Muslim Legal to pursue the case, which centers on Fine’s alleged violation of free speech principles. According to the group, Fine, known for his staunch anti-Muslim rhetoric, blocked Amjad Masad after the latter critiqued his posts, effectively silencing him from engaging in public discourse.
“Fine, a member of Congress marked by bigotry and racism, is being sued for violating the First Amendment Rights of plaintiff Amjad Masad. Following a racist outburst on his X account, he blocked Masad for mocking his anti-Muslim statements,” the ADC stated in a press release.
Earlier this month, Fine sparked controversy with a tweet declaring, “If they force us to choose between dogs and Muslims, the decision isn’t hard.” Masad’s response—”Are you asking about what’s for lunch?”—prompted the immediate blocking, as detailed in the lawsuit.
The complaint outlines how Fine’s actions represent viewpoint discrimination, as he used his official X platform to address governmental affairs before stifling critics who disagreed with his assertions. This pattern includes labeling Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar a “Somali pirate” and advocating for the deportation of Khalid Turaani, leader of the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Before his dog-related comment, Fine had also asserted that “Palestinian is a synonym for evil,” further exemplifying his divisive stance. In June, top House Democrats criticized his remarks targeting Omar as racist and Islamophobic, though no formal measures were taken against him.
Qatar’s ambassador to the United States recently issued a direct rebuke to Fine, citing his Islamophobic and anti-Qatar statements made during an interview with Laura Loomer, a far-right social media influencer. This incident highlights the broader criticism of Fine’s rhetoric, which has drawn condemnation from progressive lawmakers and civil rights advocates.
As a member of the newly formed “Sharia Free America Caucus,” Fine has positioned himself as a leader in opposing Islamic law in the U.S. Despite the constitutional separation of church and state, the group’s existence raises questions about the role of religious influence in political discourse.
Finely assumed his congressional seat last year, following Mike Waltz, who served as Trump’s former national security advisor. He faces re-election in November’s midterms, contingent on winning the Republican primary in his Florida district this August.
