Interview Highlights

In a recent interview on Fox News’ “Special Report,” Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Michigan, faced challenging questions from host Bret Baier regarding a letter he signed in 2012. The letter was addressed to Mohamed Morsi, a prominent leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

Contention Over Allegiance

During the interview, El-Sayed interrupted Baier multiple times, arguing that the questions implied dual loyalty regarding his commitment to the United States. “You are asking this question to raise the question about whether or not I have dual loyalty,” El-Sayed stated, highlighting his concerns over the context of the questioning.

Baier attempted to clarify his inquiry, emphasizing the specificity of the questions. El-Sayed, however, reiterated, “My loyalty will be to the Constitution of the United States,” underscoring his commitment to uphold the Constitution as a senator.

Letter to Morsi

The 2012 letter, which El-Sayed signed along with over thirty other individuals, called for Morsi to “purge” the media and police. This letter was published on the Egyptian news site Al-Ahram Gate and was later followed by a crackdown on journalists under Morsi’s administration, as noted by the Washington Free Beacon.

Responses from Opponents

In light of the interview, Mike Rogers, a Republican candidate and former congressman, criticized El-Sayed for not unequivocally disavowing the Muslim Brotherhood during the conversation. Rogers remarked, “He’s been dancing around this issue for a while,” suggesting that El-Sayed’s past involvement raises questions about his current political philosophy.

Rogers also asserted that making a statement that encourages the purging of the media aligns El-Sayed with the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Background on the Muslim Brotherhood

The Muslim Brotherhood is recognized as a terrorist organization by countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, although it is not classified as such in the United States. The group’s controversial reputation is partly due to its association with radical offshoots, including Hamas.

El-Sayed, whose parents immigrated from Egypt, has faced scrutiny regarding his familial connections to the Brotherhood. His half-sister publicly highlighted these ties in tweets from 2012.

Conclusion

El-Sayed has claimed that his faith has been unfairly made a point of contention in his political campaign, a claim that Rogers denies. “It is not how he prays; it’s how he thinks,” Rogers stated, pointing towards deeper ideological differences that could influence voter perception in Michigan’s Senate race.