Rep. Randy Fine

U.S. Rep. Randy Fine is under fire for remarks he made on Monday likening Democrats to “terrorists.”

Speaking to the right-wing media outlet Newsmax about the federal government shutdown, Fine, a MAGA Republican from Florida, said: “I don’t negotiate with terrorists. And what we’re learned in whether it’s dealing with Muslim terrorists or Democrats, you’ve gotta stand and you’ve gotta do the right thing.”

Fine also said he hopes Republicans “stand firm” against Democrats, “and tell them, ‘No, we’re not gonna retreat on giving free healthcare to illegal immigrants. We’re just not gonna do it.'”

“And hopefully, the American people will rise up and tell them to stop the clown show and get the government reopened,” he added.

Democrats are not asking to give “free healthcare to illegal immigrants,” although the President and the Republican Party continue to make that false claim. A 1986 federal law requires most hospitals to triage and treat anyone who needs medical attention regardless of citizenship status or ability to pay.

Fine’s remarks come just after President Donald Trump labeled Democrats “gnats,” a common insect, on Sunday, in remarks made to about ten thousand Navy sailors and service members. He also on Sunday claimed that “insurrectionists” are “all over” Portland, Oregon.

Last week President Trump labeled Democrats “the party of hate, evil, and Satan.”

In response to Congressman Fine’s remarks, veteran journalist John Harwood wrote: “lunatic.”