Representative Randy Fine of Florida will attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address with his father, Alan Fine, and his father's seeing-eye service dog, Sadie. Fine said the invitation is meant to highlight the importance of service animals and respond to backlash over a recent social media post in which he wrote that choosing 'between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.' The dog will wear a shirt reading 'Don't tread on me,' a phrase Fine has used in defending himself against criticism.

The controversy began after Fine reposted a message from Palestinian Muslim activist Nerdeen Kiswani about dogs in society and added his own inflammatory comment. The post drew sharp condemnation from House Democrats, including calls for censure or removal from Congress. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said there would be accountability for what he described as racist and bigoted behavior.

Fine has rejected the criticism and accused Democrats of ignoring other alleged misconduct within their ranks. Kiswani later said her original comment was meant as a joke and called Fine's response 'genocidal,' but Fine has continued to defend his remarks and introduced legislation titled the 'Protecting Puppies from Sharia Act.' Meanwhile, Alan Fine said he is most excited to watch his son at the address, expressing pride in him.