Federal Lawsuit Accuses Rep. Randy Fine of Blocking Critic on Official X Account
OCALA, Fla. — Republican congressional candidate Aaron Baker filed a federal lawsuit on February 20, 2026, against U.S. Representative Randy Fine, alleging Fine violated the First Amendment by blocking Baker from Fine’s official X (formerly Twitter) accounts used to communicate with constituents about official government matters.
What the Lawsuit Alleges
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Ocala Division, asserts that Fine blocked Baker in February 2026 after Baker criticized Fine on multiple occasions for not supporting what the complaint calls “The Epstein Files Transparency Act.” Baker’s attorneys argue the block was based on viewpoint and has kept Baker excluded from the interactive portions of Fine’s official accounts.
The filing identifies the accounts @repfine and @voterandyfine as official channels used to communicate about legislative activity, constituent services, official events, and other governmental matters. The lawsuit notes these accounts are configured for public interaction through replies, quote-posts, reposts, and comment threads — activities from which Baker is now excluded.
Legal Arguments
Baker’s complaint contends that the interactive portions of Fine’s official accounts function as at least a limited public forum under the First Amendment. Blocking a critic from that space based on protected political speech, the filing argues, constitutes unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.
The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, including a court order requiring Fine to unblock Baker and a declaration that viewpoint-based blocking is unconstitutional. Baker’s attorneys also seek attorneys’ fees and costs under the Equal Access to Justice Act and 42 U.S.C. § 1988.
Broader Context
The lawsuit follows longstanding public complaints from constituents who say they have been blocked by Fine across various social media platforms. A Facebook group titled “Blocked by Randy Fine” has accumulated hundreds of members claiming to have been blocked on Fine’s accounts, including his official X profile.
At the time of publication, Fine had not publicly responded to the complaint. The complaint was filed by attorney Anthony F. Sabatini of Sabatini Law Firm, P.A., based in Mount Dora, Florida.
