Calls for Expulsion Mount After GOP Congressman's Anti-Muslim Remarks

The controversy erupted when Fine responded to a sarcastic social media post by Palestinian American activist Nerdeen Kiswani. Kiswani had jokingly suggested that the election of Zohran Mamdani in New York meant the city was becoming Islamic and should therefore ban dogs. Fine replied, "If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one."

Kiswani later clarified that her original post was intended as satire, highlighting the irrational fears some Americans harbor regarding Muslim leadership. Democratic lawmakers were swift in their backlash. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) labeled the statement "disgusting bigotry," while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) demanded Fine be stripped of his committee assignments. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-N.J.) called on Speaker Mike Johnson to formally condemn the remarks, characterizing them as evidence of unchecked Islamophobia. Despite the mounting pressure, Fine remains defiant, appearing on Newsmax to falsely claim that Democrats intend to ban pet dogs nationwide.