The Sleeper Cells are Already Awake: Rep. Randy Fine
Florida Congressman Randy Fine delivered a blunt and fiery warning during an interview with Newsmax host Todd Starnes — arguing that Islamic extremist “sleeper cells” are not only active inside the United States, but may already be operating in plain sight.
The wide-ranging conversation began with Fine’s reaction to President Trump’s decision to strike Iran — and quickly escalated into a broader warning about national security, terrorism, and what Fine described as an urgent domestic threat.
Below is a breakdown of the key segments from the interview.
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“I Don’t Think They’re Sleeping”
When Todd Starnes raised concerns about sleeper cells operating within the United States, Fine pushed back on the terminology.
“I would challenge the premise,” Fine said. “I don’t think they’re sleeping. I think they are open.”
Fine argued that extremist ideology is not hidden in the shadows, but openly expressed in American communities.
“I have seen imam after imam, mainstream Muslim religious leaders today talk about what a martyr the Ayatollah was, how they should hope that they die in the same way,” he said. “A mosque outside of Washington holding a service for their leader, the martyr of the Ayutollah Khomeini. They’re not hiding. They’re not sleeping. They are telling us in broad daylight what they intend to do. The question is whether we are going to do something about it.”
Fine added that deportations must extend beyond illegal immigrants.
“And look, we’ve got to deport all of these illegal immigrants,” he said, “but we’ve gotta deport a lot of people who are here in this country legally as well. And I hope we get to that very, very soon.”
“When Someone Screams Death to America”
The congressman also weighed in on the president’s decision to strike Iran.
“Well, I think it’s a decision 47 years overdue,” Fine said. “But here’s what’s changed, and here’s where Americans need to know. Iran wanted to create a nuclear capability and missiles that could strike the United States. What I believe is when someone screams death to America for 47 years, you should believe them.”
Fine dismissed criticism from prominent conservatives, including Tucker Carlson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
“I say to Tucker Carlson, go get the mental help that you need,” Fine said. “I watched his interview with Mike Huckabee and I thought the guy came away with two things. Clearly hates Jews and he’s sick in the head. So no one should listen to the guy.”
Fine continued, “He said I should go and get a DNA test to prove that I was Jewish. And he said he was okay with his children being raped and murdered as long as it was done by someone under the age of 18. I mean the interview was crazy town.”
As for Greene, Fine was equally blunt.
“She’s a quitter and a loser,” he said. “I don’t really care what she thinks. If she wanted us to listen to her opinion, she probably should have stayed in Congress.”
Austin Attack and Terror Concerns
The interview then turned to the Austin, Texas shooting, which federal authorities are investigating as a possible act of terrorism. Three people were killed and 14 seriously injured when a gunman wearing a “Property of Allah” hoodie opened fire at Buford’s, a popular bar.
Starnes referenced Fine’s social media post stating: “When someone yells, Allah Akbar, there’s a real chance somebody is about to get killed. It’s not Islamophobic to say this. It’s true.”
Asked whether he stood by the statement, Fine replied, “Absolutely.”
“And by the way, this terrorist in Austin, who didn’t like that I made that point, it is alleged he was yelling Allahu Akbar while he was shooting people,” Fine said. “The full point is no one gets scared when someone says praise Jesus or Baruch Hashem. You just go about your day. But anyone hears Allahu Akbar yelled out in public and they’re looking for a car to hide behind. It is true.”
Fine revealed that the suspect had previously interacted with him online.
“The guy tweeted at me and I think it’s a little bit creepy, but that’s what we’re up against in this country,” he said. “The bottom line is we’ve got to deport a whole lot of people at this point.”
Throughout the interview, Fine framed the current moment as a defining test for the nation’s resolve.
“They are telling us in broad daylight what they intend to do,” he warned. “The question is whether we are going to do something about it.”