Rep. Randy Fine Under Fire After Saying, ‘We Don’t Want Armenians to Be Able to Serve in Congress’
Congressman Randy Fine (R-Fla.) is facing sharp backlash following comments he made during a recent interview in which he said “we don’t want Armenians to be able to serve in Congress” while discussing his primary opponent, Dan Bilzerian.
The remarks, made on The Jenny Beth Show on April 30, 2026, have drawn accusations of bigotry and heightened an already contentious Republican primary battle in Florida’s 6th congressional district.
🔥 The Remarks: A Statement Condemned as Bigoted
During the interview, Fine pivoted from criticizing his opponent to issuing a blanket statement against an entire ethnicity. While denouncing Bilzerian—who holds Armenian citizenship—Fine stated:
“We have to take it seriously because we don’t want this to take root in our party. We don’t want Armenians to be able to serve in Congress. “
The comments are consistent with his previous legislative efforts. In October 2025, Rep. Fine introduced the Disqualifying Dual Loyalty Act, which would require candidates to renounce any foreign citizenship before being elected. The bill would effectively bar dual citizens from holding office.
When asked if the law targeted Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Fine demurred, but noted: “We have foreigners who serve in the United States Congress who have sworn an oath of allegiance to another country”. His recent comments extend this logic specifically to the Armenian-American community.
🗳️ The Political Context: A Heated GOP Primary
The remarks are widely seen as an attack aimed directly at his primary opponent, Dan Bilzerian.
- The Challenger: Dan Bilzerian, a controversial influencer and conspiracy theorist, is running against Fine for the GOP nomination in Florida’s 6th district.
- Bilzerian’s Ties: Bilzerian is an Armenian citizen. Fine has characterized him as an antisemite, citing an Israeli government list that ranked Bilzerian as the number one global anti-Semitic influencer in 2025.
- The Stakes: While Fine has the endorsement of President Donald Trump, Bilzerian has a massive social media following and has attempted to sway the primary by attacking Fine from the right.
📜 Legislative Backdrop: Targeting Dual Citizens
Rep. Fine has made dual citizenship in Congress a central part of his legislative identity. His proposed Disqualifying Dual Loyalty Act (H.R. 5924) explicitly states that “No person… may be elected to the office of Representative or Senator if that person is a national of any country other than the United States”.
Contradictions in His Stance
There is a legal inconsistency regarding Fine’s position. Under the Constitution, foreign nationals who have become naturalized citizens (like Rep. Ilhan Omar) are fully permitted to serve. Specifically, Article VI of the Constitution prohibits any “religious Test” as a qualification for office (the Armenian argument), while Article I and the 14th Amendment establish the requirements for citizenship and representation. While Fine argues that dual citizens serve “two masters,” he has not provided specific evidence that any current member of Congress refuses to take an oath of renunciation.
💬 Backlash and Response
The reaction to Fine’s statements has been swift.
- Diaspora Outrage: The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has launched a campaign against Fine. ANCA scoring indicates that Fine has consistently refused to support Armenian Genocide education, security aid to Armenia, or enforcement of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act (sanctions on Azerbaijan).
- Primary Implications: Both Fine and his opponent have deep ties to the Trump base. While Trump backs Fine, Bilzerian is trying to position himself as even more aggressive.
📋 Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Who | Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) |
| What He Said | “We don’t want Armenians to be able to serve in Congress” |
| Context | Discussing primary challenge from Dan Bilzerian (an Armenian citizen) |
| Legislative History | Proposed Disqualifying Dual Loyalty Act to bar dual citizens from Congress |
| Criticism | ANCA launched campaign; accusations of bigotry |
| Opponent’s Background | Bilzerian is #1 on Israeli list of “anti-Semitic influencers” |
| Election Date | August 2026 primary |
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