Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) says he is considering forcing a House vote to expel Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), citing long-standing allegations surrounding her personal conduct, past statements, and what he describes as her repeated hostility toward American values and national security.
Fine told Axios on Wednesday that the potential action would be based in part on allegations that Omar married her brother—claims Omar has repeatedly denied—as well as what Fine characterized as her “general embrace of Muslim terror.”
“I don’t think she should be a citizen, let alone a member of Congress,” Fine told the outlet.
Fine’s comments came in response to a recent fundraising email from Omar’s campaign that called for his expulsion from Congress, pointing to prior remarks in which Fine said radical Islamic ideology should be “destroyed.” Fine has argued that his statements were aimed at extremist ideology, not peaceful Muslims.
“I won’t send out fundraising emails calling for her expulsion,” Fine said.
“If I’m going to do that, you will see me bring the piece of paper. And I am actively considering that.”
Under House rules, expelling a sitting member requires a two-thirds majority vote. With Republicans holding only a narrow majority, Fine would need support from at least 85 Democrats—an extremely high bar that underscores how serious and rare such actions are. Historically, expulsions have been reserved for cases involving corruption, criminal conduct, or national security concerns.
Omar, a member of the progressive “Squad,” has faced ongoing criticism over past remarks about Israel, U.S. foreign policy, and terrorism, which many Republicans argue cross the line from criticism into outright hostility toward America and its allies.
She has also drawn renewed scrutiny following revelations of massive fraud tied to the Minnesota-based “Feeding Our Future” program, which prosecutors say siphoned more than $250 million from taxpayer-funded pandemic food aid. While Omar has not been charged, critics note that she supported the MEALS Act, which expanded food-aid flexibility during COVID lockdowns and later became linked to the fraud scheme.
When asked earlier this month whether she regretted backing the legislation, Omar dismissed any connection.
“Do you regret pushing for that bill, the MEALS Act? Do you think it led to the fraud?” Fox News reporter Nicholas Ballasy asked, according to Fox News.
“Absolutely not, it did help feed kids,” Omar replied.
President Donald Trump has also been sharply critical of Omar in recent weeks, frequently citing her rhetoric and broader concerns about unchecked migration and assimilation.
He referred to the congresswoman as “garbage” earlier this month and expressed blunt views about large-scale immigration from failed states, including Somalia, Omar’s country of birth, according to NBC News.
“I don’t want them in our country. I’ll be honest with you, okay. Somebody will say, ‘Oh, that’s not politically correct.’ I don’t care,” Trump said.
“I don’t want them in our country. Their country is no good for a reason,” he continued.
“Her friends are garbage,” Trump said in reference to Omar. “These aren’t people that work. These aren’t people that say, ‘Let’s go, come on, let’s make this place great.’ These are people that do nothing but complain.”
While any effort to expel Omar would face steep procedural odds, Fine’s comments reflect growing frustration among Republicans
