WASHINGTON D.C, July 9, 2025 – House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, along with Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, issued a scathing joint statement late Wednesday, denouncing Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) for what they described as “unhinged, racist, and Islamophobic” comments targeting Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). The rebuke comes amid heightened concerns over political violence, just weeks after an attempted assassination of elected officials in Minnesota, Omar’s home state.
The statement, posted on X by Jeffries at 21:15 UTC on July 9, 2025, labeled Fine’s remarks as “bigoted and disgusting,” urging the Florida congressman to apologize immediately. “We are just weeks removed from heinous acts of political violence targeting elected officials in Minnesota for assassination,” the leaders wrote. “This is an incredibly difficult time for our nation, and Members of Congress should be solving problems for the American people, not inciting violence.”
Fine’s comments, which sparked the controversy, were a response to Omar’s criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington. The Florida Republican, known for his hardline stance, has not yet publicly addressed the Democratic leaders’ demand for an apology, though his X account shows a history of provocative rhetoric, including past remarks on immigration that drew bipartisan backlash.
The timing of the statement is significant, following a troubling wave of political unrest. In late June 2025, an attempted assassination plot against Minnesota officials, including state legislators, was foiled by local law enforcement, heightening security concerns in Omar’s 5th congressional district. Recent polls indicate a 12% rise in partisan divide in the district since 2020, reflecting growing polarization that has fueled heated exchanges on Capitol Hill.
Omar, a progressive firebrand first elected in 2018, has long been a polarizing figure. Her past comments on Israel, including a 2019 remark suggesting pro-Israel lobbying groups had “allegiance to a foreign country,” led to her temporary removal from the House Foreign Affairs Committee in 2023 by a Republican-led vote. That same year, she faced scrutiny over alleged campaign finance violations, though federal investigations ultimately found no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing.
The Democratic leadership’s statement has ignited a firestorm on X, with supporters praising the call for civility and critics accusing Jeffries of hypocrisy. “Where’s your statement on the ICE agents assaulted by your base?” challenged Hunter Eagleman™, while Rep. Fine himself retorted, “Ilhan Omar should be deported. Immigration fraud.” Others, like SaltyGoat, mocked the “Hamas Caucus,” a term used by some conservatives to criticize Omar and fellow progressive Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
Despite the backlash, Jeffries and his colleagues remain steadfast, framing their stance as a defense of democratic norms. The incident underscores the deepening rift in U.S. politics, with Minnesota’s recent violence serving as a stark reminder of the stakes. As the nation watches, the demand for Fine’s apology hangs in the balance, with no clear resolution in sight on this Thursday morning.