TAAL Calls for Randy Fine’s Resignation After Anti-Armenian Remarks

Civil rights advocates condemn the congressman’s statement targeting Armenian Americans, citing a pattern of divisive rhetoric and documented misconduct as calls for accountability grow

By Samantha Krause

The Truth And Accountability League (TAAL) is calling for the resignation of Congressman Randy Fine following remarks in which he stated, “We don’t want Armenians in Congress,” drawing swift condemnation from civil rights advocates and Armenian American leaders.

TAAL described the comments as “hateful, exclusionary rhetoric” that is incompatible with the responsibilities of elected office, warning that such statements undermine democratic principles of representation and equality.

“No elected official has the right to decide which ethnic or religious communities belong in Congress,” said Vic Gerami, Founder and Chair of the Truth And Accountability League. “This kind of rhetoric is not only offensive to Armenian Americans, it is an attack on the very foundation of American democracy.”

Armenian Americans have long played a significant role in the United States across multiple sectors, including public service, business, education, medicine, journalism, law, the arts, and the military. Advocates argue that questioning their place in public office contradicts core American values of inclusion and equal opportunity.

TAAL also pointed to what it described as a pattern of controversial behavior by Fine, including prior inflammatory remarks targeting various communities such as Black Americans, Muslims, Arabs, Hispanics, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The organization said such a pattern raises broader concerns about his fitness to serve.

The organization further criticized Fine’s record on foreign policy-related issues, citing his positions regarding Azerbaijan and the humanitarian crisis affecting Armenians in Artsakh. His remarks about Armenian Americans, TAAL argued, reflect a broader pattern of Armenophobia.

It is the height of hypocrisy for a lawmaker who routinely prioritizes the interests of a foreign government to claim Armenian Americans are somehow unfit to serve their own country in Congress.

The criticism extends beyond rhetoric. Fine has also been caught on video attempting to cast votes on behalf of absent colleagues, an act widely viewed as a violation of legislative rules and ethical standards, further fueling concerns about his conduct in office.

TAAL is urging Republican Party leadership, including the Republican Party of Florida and the House Republican Conference, to take immediate action and call for Fine’s resignation. The organization also called on leaders across the political spectrum, as well as civil rights groups and faith leaders, to denounce the remarks unequivocally.

“Hate against Armenians is hate,” Gerami said. “Armenophobia, like all forms of racism and bigotry, threatens every community.”

The organization framed the controversy as a broader test of accountability, stressing that public officials who engage in divisive and exclusionary rhetoric must be held responsible.

“America is strongest when all communities are represented, respected, and protected,” Gerami said. “There must be no safe harbor for racism, xenophobia, or ethnic hatred in our government.”

TAAL concluded with a clear and direct call: Randy Fine should resign.

About TAAL

Truth And Accountability League (TAAL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization with roots in defending Armenian identity, culture, and cultural arts. Today, TAAL has grown into a broader platform dedicated to combating hate, discrimination, and disinformation affecting marginalized communities, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, ethnic and cultural minorities, and other underrepresented groups.

TAAL monitors and challenges bias across media, academia, public policy, and cultural institutions. The organization also promotes cultural arts, heritage preservation, and creative expression as tools for education, resilience, and cross-cultural understanding. Through educational programs, cultural initiatives, and community engagement, TAAL empowers individuals with the knowledge and tools to recognize, confront, and prevent prejudice, disinformation, and harmful narratives.

Our mission is to advance equity, promote accountability, and foster understanding through advocacy, education, and cultural arts, ensuring that all communities, including those of Armenian heritage, are represented, respected, and supported.