Overview
- Rep. Randy Fine labeled Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar a “Muslim terrorist” in response to her criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Washington visit.
- House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar condemned Fine’s remarks as unhinged, racist and Islamophobic and demanded an immediate apology.
- Fine dismissed his critics as the “Hamas Caucus” and has stood by his language without issuing a retraction.
- House Republican leadership has remained silent and has not publicly addressed calls for discipline or censure of Fine.
- Civil rights groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations, have urged bipartisan condemnation of anti-Muslim bigotry by elected officials.