SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (Diya TV) — Palm Bay, Florida, City Council Member Chandler Langevin sparked national outrage after launching a racist tirade against Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, mocking his Indian heritage and calling him a “foreign occupier.” The attack came days after Krishnamoorthi condemned Langevin’s earlier remarks, urging the mass deportation of Indian immigrants.
Langevin posted a series of inflammatory comments on social media, referring to Krishnamoorthi as “Cantina ‘Congressman’ Rajesh Koothrapali,” a reference to a character from The Big Bang Theory, and mocked his Indian name as “unpronounceable.” He added that the congressman’s “party of foreign invaders” was responsible for hurting American workers.
In one of the most widely shared posts, Langevin called Krishnamoorthi a “foreign occupier” and compared his birthplace to “Tatooine,” the fictional desert planet from Star Wars. The comments quickly drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum for their racist and xenophobic tone.
The controversy followed Langevin’s earlier posts in late September, in which he wrote, “Deport every Indian immediately,” and, “There’s not a single Indian that cares about the United States.” He also reposted conspiracy-laden content claiming that “Indian migration has to cease immediately” and that “India is having its people invade our country.”
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat representing Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, responded firmly to the attacks.
“It’s telling that rather than apologizing for calling for the mass deportation of Indian Americans, Mr. Langevin chose to double down with racist mockery,” Krishnamoorthi said in a statement. “I was born in India, raised in Peoria, and elected by the people of Illinois—there’s nothing ‘foreign’ about standing up for my fellow Americans. Hate may be loud, but it will never drown out the values of decency and democracy that unite us.”
Krishnamoorthi’s response gained widespread support online, with many community leaders and organizations denouncing Langevin’s rhetoric as divisive and dangerous. The congressman has long been an advocate for immigrant rights and religious tolerance, and he warned that such statements could fuel violence and discrimination.
“When hate speech is normalized and communities are scapegoated, our democracy is weakened,” Krishnamoorthi said. “We must stand together across every community against all forms of hate.”
Following the backlash, Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina introduced a motion to consider Langevin’s removal from the city council. The motion passed on October 2, marking a rare disciplinary step against a sitting local official for racist conduct.
Local leaders said Langevin’s actions did not reflect the values of Palm Bay residents. “We must hold our elected officials to the highest standards of respect and integrity,” Medina said. “There is no room for hate or intolerance in our city government.”
Langevin has not apologized or deleted the posts. Instead, he has continued to defend his statements, claiming he is being targeted for “speaking the truth.” His refusal to retract the comments has deepened calls for accountability and underscored growing concerns about racism in American politics.
Langevin’s remarks have reignited debates about anti-immigrant sentiment and rising hate speech in public office. Analysts say the incident highlights how racist rhetoric can spread quickly on social media, often gaining traction among extremist groups.
Civil rights advocates have warned that inflammatory statements like Langevin’s can create fear within immigrant communities and embolden acts of harassment. The Anti-Defamation League and the South Asian American community have called for stronger measures against hate speech by public officials.
“Words matter,” said one community organizer in Chicago. “When elected leaders use slurs and threats against a group of people, it sends a message that hate is acceptable. That’s not who we are as Americans.”
The controversy has become a flashpoint in a larger national conversation about race, immigration, and accountability. Many have praised Krishnamoorthi for taking a firm stand and refusing to let bigotry go unchallenged.
