‘Commentary Like That Is Irresponsible And It's So Insensitive': Driskell Slams Republican Fine's Comments

Florida Phoenix

May 25, 2022

Following a tweet by state Rep. Randy Fine of Brevard County that stirred controversy, Black Caucus members in the Florida House on Wednesday slammed Fine for “insensitive” social media comments amid the tragic Texas school massacre.

Fine, a Republican, made what could be considered threatening remarks Wednesday morning on Twitter aimed at President Joe Biden, who has called for action to control assault weapons after a gunman killed 19 elementary students and two adults in Uvalde, Texas.

During a press conference Wednesday afternoon, state Rep. Fentrice Driskell slammed Fine for his commentary and said the focus should be on solutions to prevent tragedies, such as “expanded background checks.”

Driskell, an attorney and represents part of Hillsborough County, was recently elected as Leader Designate of the Florida House Democrats. She’ll be the first Black woman to serve in that role in the Florida Legislature.

“Commentary like that is irresponsible and it’s so insensitive,” she said. “Where is our compassion as elected officials? Not just as elected officials, but as humans.”

She added: “Comments like that I think if someone were to take it literally, it sounds like very threatening language what I read. It’s difficult to know somebody’s intent and I haven’t spoken to Rep. Fine about his intent.”

Instead, Driskell said, “Keep the focus on the families and the communities that are experiencing loss,” adding that communities in Orlando and Parkland “may be retraumatized by this.”

As previously reported by the Florida Phoenix, Fine tweeted: “I have news for the embarrassment that claims to be our President [Joe Biden] — try to take our guns and you’ll learn why the Second Amendment was written in the first place.”

And he said later via Twitter that “they want one thing and one thing only — gun confiscation and an end to the 2A [the Second Amendment]— and the notion that Americans will exercise their right to fight them makes them go crazy. Boo hoo.”

Another Black Caucus member, Dotie Joseph, also an attorney, also condemned Fine for his comments and spoke more about the issue surrounding the gun debate. “Words have power,” she said. “And the words that we articulate as elected officials carry different weight than the regular civilian.”

Joseph of Miami-Dade County warned that lawmakers’ comments could trigger violence “when you use violent and incendiary language.”

Joseph said: “If we speak these things and encourage these things, we will have more of these things. We need leaders who understand how to lead, who can be mature adults.”

She said she supports the right to bear arms but it’s important to have restrictions on access to guns.

“I am a proponent of the second amendment. I am a very good shot and I have my concealed carry,” she said. “But I also know that it’s important to make sure that people know how to use a weapon – are trained on the safety measures. And you don’t want them [guns] in the wrong hands.”

Meanwhile, Fine has gotten embroiled in controversy before. As previously reported by the Phoenix, a civil rights advocacy group filed a complaint in August of 2021 against Fine, alleging “hateful” and “atrocious” social media comments calling Palestinians “animals” and Muslims “monsters” and “terrorists.”

In addition, Fine recently described a Brevard County school board member as a “whore,” according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The Florida Phoenix, a nonprofit news site that’s free of advertising and free to readers, covers state government and politics through a mix of in-depth stories, briefs, and social media updates on the latest events, editorial cartoons, and progressive commentary. The Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.