Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) explained comments he made on a talk show last week that were deemed controversial, in which he said, “We don’t want Armenians to be able to serve in Congress.” Fine made the remarks while discussing his Republican congressional primary opponent, social media influencer Dan Bilzerian, who is of Armenian descent. The Florida congressman said he was referring to those who are “citizens of a foreign country,” which he claimed Bilzerian is.
“Armenians should not serve in Congress,” Fine posted on X on Sunday afternoon. “Neither should Somalis. Or Guatemalans. Or — wait for it— Israelis.”
“If you are a citizen of a foreign country, you shouldn’t serve in ours,” said Fine. “We need to pass my bill to stop the invasion of dual citizens in Congress. NOW.”
Fine drew backlash for remarks he made on the Jenny Beth Show, criticizing the social media influencer on a variety of topics, including claiming that Bilzerian lived in Las Vegas, Nevada; was antisemitic; and was from Armenia.
“He’s got a very large social media following, not from Florida,” said Fine. “He lives in Las Vegas when he’s not in his, in his, in his foreign country of Armenia, but, but, you know, he’s just a terrible antisemite. I think what he’s trying to show is that there’s this group of hate-filled lunatics and losers that can take hold in the Republican Party.”
“But look, my constituents are smart,” Fine added. “The little Armenian said, ‘I think that President Trump was a pedophile rapist who should be impeached.’ That’s not a winning argument, and that may work in Armenia, where he’s from, but that’s not an argument that’s going to work in the United States.”
“We have to take it seriously, because we don’t want this to take root in our party,” said Fine. “We don’t want Armenians to be able to serve in Congress.”
RANDY FINE FACES BACKLASH AFTER SAYING ‘WE DON’T WANT ARMENIANS’ IN CONGRESS
Fine’s last words about Armenians serving in Congress were at the root of the controversy and criticism against him.
The Armenian National Committee of America rebuked Fine’s comments as discriminatory, accusing Fine of supporting Azerbaijan, the country that borders Armenia and with which it has had years of hostile relations, including military conflicts in recent years.
“The ANCA condemns this racist anti-Armenian rant by US Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL), cosponsor of a reckless Congressional resolution to ship US arms and aid to genocidal Azerbaijan,” read a social media post by the Armenian National Committee of America.