In a display of unfiltered bigotry that has shocked even seasoned political observers, Republican Representative Randy Fine of Florida hurled a vicious, Islamophobic slur at Congresswoman Ilhan Omar on Tuesday evening, calling her a “Muslim terrorist” in response to her criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, D.C.

Omar, one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, had expressed outrage over Netanyahu’s reception on Capitol Hill. “War criminals should not be welcomed by any president or Congress,” she wrote on X. “He should be held accountable for his crimes, not platformed. Beyond shameful.” Her remarks referenced the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from actions in Gaza.

Fine, apparently incensed, responded within minutes. In a now widely condemned post, he wrote:

“I’m sure it is difficult to see us welcome the killer of so many of your fellow Muslim terrorists. The only shame is that you serve in Congress.”

The post quickly went viral, drawing both horror and disbelief. Critics described it as an open endorsement of Islamophobic hatred on the congressional floor. A spokesperson from Omar’s office did not mince words:

“Randy Fine is a dangerous, hateful man whose only purpose in Congress thus far has been advocating for nuking Gaza, celebrating the death of children, and calling anyone who disagrees with his genocidal mindset a terrorist.”

The spokesperson continued:

“Congress has never had a more open Islamophobe, who constantly threatens and invites violence against his Muslim colleagues and Muslims in general. It should shock everyone that he hasn’t been condemned by leadership on either side of the aisle.”

Indeed, Fine’s attacks on Muslim lawmakers are not new. During his campaign for Congress, Fine tweeted a message aimed at Omar and fellow Muslim Representative Rashida Tlaib that read simply, “#BombsAway.” Earlier this year, when Tlaib accused Israel of “starving Gaza to death,” Fine responded with:

“Tell your fellow Muslim terrorists to release the hostages and surrender. Until then, #StarveAway.”

Just last week, Fine responded to a photo of Tlaib with New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani—who would be the city’s first Muslim mayor if elected—with:

“Muslim terrorists hang out together.”

Fine’s history of anti-Muslim rhetoric runs deeper still. He has openly referred to the Palestinian cause as “evil,” claimed that the U.S. has “a Muslim problem,” and applauded the killing of 26-year-old American citizen Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi by the Israeli military in the West Bank. As a Florida state legislator, he was accused by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) of encouraging violence against protesters, urging his constituents to “run over” demonstrators at Palestinian advocacy events and calling for the “annihilation of the Palestinian people.”

Despite the repeated and dangerous nature of Fine’s rhetoric, no meaningful censure has been issued by Republican leadership—or Democrats. His invective appears to go unchecked, creating what many say is a toxic and threatening atmosphere for Muslim lawmakers in Congress.

“Free speech doesn’t mean hate speech without consequence,” said one civil rights activist. “If Congress tolerates this kind of language, it signals to the public that anti-Muslim hate is acceptable at the highest levels of government. That’s not just dangerous—it’s deadly.”

For now, Fine remains defiant, and silence from congressional leaders continues. But the damage—political, emotional, and societal—is already done.