Breaking: ADC Sues Rep. Randy Fine for Violating First Amendment 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Moments ago, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), together with Muslim Legal, filed a federal lawsuit against U.S. Representative Randy Fine of Florida. Rep. Fine, one of the most bigoted and racist members ever elected to federal office, is being sued for violating the First Amendment Rights of plaintiff Amjad Masad. After going on a racist tirade on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Fine blocked Mr. Masad for mocking his anti-Muslim post.

The lawsuit challenges Fine’s blatant viewpoint discrimination by using an official public forum to speak about government business, then silencing critics who respond to his rhetoric. ADC’s complaint alleges that Fine posted inflammatory, anti-Muslim rhetoric and then blocked Masad for pushing back, cutting him off from participating in public discussion threads Fine has opened to everyone else. 

The lawsuit is filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Bringing this lawsuit is part of ADC’s commitment to defending the First Amendment rights of our community and pushing back against bigots like Rep. Fine who seek to silence the voices of Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims. Litigation is resource-intensive. ADC is asking supporters to help sustain and expand this work defending civil rights and challenging government censorship.

Background

The complaint explains in detail how Rep. Fine uses his official X account to communicate with the public about legislative activity, official matters, and political positions, and he keeps the account’s reply and engagement functions open to the public. In February 2026, after Fine posted a statement disparaging Muslims, Masad replied with a sarcastic political comment criticizing Fine’s statement. Fine then blocked Masad, excluding him from viewing, replying, and participating in the interactive space on Fine’s official page.

The Supreme Court holds that the First Amendment does not allow a public official to create a public forum for civic discussion and then ban opposing voices because they don’t like the criticism.

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 “We bring this lawsuit because the First Amendment does not allow elected officials to spread bigotry from an official platform and then silence the people they target when they respond. Rep. Fine put himself in public service. That means he answers to the public. He does not get to isolate himself from criticism while using official channels to push his agenda.”

— Jenin Younes, National Legal Director, ADC 

 “This case is about the First Amendment and the basic rule that government officials cannot engage in viewpoint discrimination. Rep. Fine used an official account to address public matters and invited public participation—then blocked a critic for speaking back. The Constitution doesn’t allow elected officials to turn official public forums into censorship zones.”

— Hassan Shibly, Attorney, Muslim Legal (Co-Counsel)

 “The central issue here is straightforward: a public official cannot open forums for public discussion and then silence people because they criticize him. The fact that this censorship followed anti-Muslim rhetoric underscores the reality of what happened. Rep. Fine attacked a community, then tried to shut down the response. The First Amendment protects the public’s right to speak, criticize, and petition their government without being punished for it.”

— Malak Afaneh, Staff Attorney, ADC

This lawsuit is part of ADC’s ongoing national work to hold public officials accountable when they abuse government platforms to suppress protected speech and undermine civil rights. ADC will continue to challenge censorship and defend the public’s right to participate in civic life without being excluded for their viewpoint.