Concerns Raised Over Potential Classified Information Access for Michigan Senate Nominee Abdul El-Sayed
Critics question El-Sayed's eligibility for sensitive intelligence due to his past associations, while his campaign defends him against allegations.
Concerns are being raised by conservatives regarding potential access to classified information for Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, should he win his election.
Unlike congressional staffers and many executive-branch officials, senators are not required to obtain a formal security clearance to access classified information pertinent to their official duties. El-Sayed, if elected, would be eligible for such access by virtue of holding office, a situation that has prompted unease among some national security and policy experts.
Critics point to El-Sayed's past associations with individuals and groups whose past statements have drawn scrutiny. Daniel Samet, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, expressed concern that El-Sayed has associated with individuals who support the intifada and terrorist causes, and suggested El-Sayed has shown sympathy for radical Islamist ideology. "Anyone refusing to disavow America-hater Hasan Piker should never be elected to Congress. El-Sayed will use his perch in the Senate to undermine America and empower its enemies," Samet told Fox News Digital.
Reports have highlighted El-Sayed's appearances and political relationships with individuals who have expressed support for or made favorable statements about U.S.-designated terrorist organizations. For instance, El-Sayed was introduced at a rally by Amir Makled, who had previously celebrated deceased members of Hezbollah. Sheikh Fadhel al-Sahlani, a cleric who praised Hamas' Oct. 7 attack and minimized Holocaust casualties, also shared a stage with El-Sayed at a mosque opening. Additionally, El-Sayed accepted an endorsement from Osama Siblani, who has praised both Hamas and Hezbollah.
El-Sayed's relationship with Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who once stated that America "deserved 9/11," has also been a point of contention. El-Sayed has since described the statement as "dumb" and distanced himself from Piker, though he has not fully disavowed him.
Critics also cite statements and past employment involving members of El-Sayed's family. His half-sister faced criticism for an "October 7th blessing" posted on the anniversary of the Hamas attack. El-Sayed has stated that while he loves his sister, they disagree on foreign policy, and his campaign has emphasized that only he speaks for himself.
Chip Wyatt, government relations director at Heritage Action, expressed that El-Sayed's affiliation with communists and calls to abolish ICE compound these concerns. "Senators handle sensitive intelligence with major national security implications; giving someone like El-Sayed access would put American lives at risk," Wyatt told Fox News Digital.
Concerns about the broader implications for national security have also been raised, with some suggesting the issue extends beyond El-Sayed to other candidates affiliated with groups like the Democratic Socialists of America. Ashley Hayek, president of America First Works, noted that many of these groups are funded by Neville Singham, whom a 2023 New York Times investigation identified as a significant funder of U.S. activist organizations reportedly linked to pro-Beijing messaging.
Bryce Poole, a senior legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom, highlighted past instances where senators' access to sensitive information led to legal trouble. "It was not that long ago, it was 2024, when Robert Menendez was prosecuted and convicted for being a foreign agent of Egypt essentially... So it's not that this is just a hypothetical problem," Poole told Fox News Digital.
In response to the criticisms, El-Sayed campaign spokesperson Cole Wozniak stated, "Abdul’s running to keep Americans safe and bring down costs for Michigan families. Mike Rogers spent his entire career selling out Michigan, and has directly profited off shady business dealings with foreign companies."
The spokesperson further alleged that Rogers made hundreds of thousands of dollars working for companies that partnered with Chinese firms posing national security threats and worked for a Saudi-linked company that pushed for regulations that could have enabled Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear weapons. The campaign asserted that Rogers "got rich selling out Michiganders and he can’t be trusted to keep us safe."