Michigan Senate Rivals Trade Barbs Over Muslim Brotherhood Allegations

Michigan Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers engaged in a heated exchange during separate interviews on Fox News' "Special Report," just 11 days before the election.

El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee, accused his Republican rival Rogers of questioning his loyalty to the United States. This accusation came after host Bret Baier pressed El-Sayed about a 2012 statement involving former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, who was affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Baier stated he was asking about allegations raised by Rogers' campaign.

"No, no, no, let me just stop there," El-Sayed interrupted. "You are asking this question to raise a question about whether or not I have dual loyalties." He later added, "I will be loyal to the Constitution of the United States." El-Sayed accused Rogers of making his Muslim faith a campaign issue, calling the suggestion "sad" and "beneath him."

Rogers, a former congressman, doubled down on allegations that El-Sayed has embraced the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood. "I wore the uniform of the United States. Many in my family, including our son, wore the uniform of the United States so he can pray any way he wants," Rogers said. "It is not how he prays, it's how he thinks."

Rogers rejected El-Sayed's characterization of the questioning as an attack on his faith. "He has adopted the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood," Rogers alleged. When Baier noted El-Sayed's denial of any personal ties to the organization and his pledge of allegiance to the Constitution, Rogers responded, "Does he disavow? Does he really say it?"

El-Sayed had previously disavowed the organization, answering "Sure. Yeah, absolutely" when asked if he disavowed it at an Oct. 17 town hall.

The controversy stems partly from a 2012 letter that El-Sayed signed, which The Washington Free Beacon reported supported decisions by then-Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, including calls to purge Egypt's police and media. El-Sayed has also faced scrutiny over social media posts from his half-sister describing their mother's alleged involvement in Muslim Brotherhood activism in the 1970s. El-Sayed has denied personal or family ties to the organization.

In an October 17 interview, El-Sayed acknowledged that his sister-in-law was a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging her alleged placement on a terrorist watchlist but insisted she had done nothing wrong. The FBI declined to confirm or deny her watchlist status, and the lawsuit does not establish wrongdoing.

Beyond the allegations, the candidates also clashed on other policy issues.

El-Sayed blamed the war with Iran for rising gasoline and grocery prices, stating, "We need a war powers resolution to end the capacity for this president to wage an illegal, unjustifiable war." Rogers, while defending the original rationale for military action, said he has urged President Donald Trump to end the conflict, stating, "I've called for him to wrap it up. That's the right thing to do."

Rogers raised concerns about Michigan's economy, citing the loss of 27,000 manufacturing jobs and high auto insurance costs. He also expressed worry about educational standards, claiming that approximately two-thirds of fourth graders are not reading at grade level.

Rogers defended Trump's influence in Michigan, pointing to his support among voters and crediting his trade policies with encouraging General Motors to bring Silverado pickup truck production back to the state. However, Rogers acknowledged a disagreement with Trump over trade with Canada, stating, "I've come out and said we shouldn't be doing the Canadian tariffs the way we are doing them."

Regarding Medicare-for-all, El-Sayed stated, "I'm fine with people keeping their private insurance if that's what they want, but I want guaranteed public insurance for everybody." Rogers disputed this, arguing that Medicare-for-all would eliminate private insurance and increase costs for Michigan families.

El-Sayed highlighted upcoming campaign appearances with former President Barack Obama and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., while questioning Rogers' reliance on Trump's support in Michigan.