Democratic Party's Muslim candidate asked to condemn Muslim Brotherhood: 'They question my loyalty'

A heated confrontation erupted between Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and a town hall attendee who demanded he condemn the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed rejected any connection to the movement and accused the attendee of questioning his loyalty to the United States because of his religion. The exchange took place in Caro, Michigan, as El-Sayed, who could become the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate, defended his commitment to the Constitution.

A heated confrontation erupted between Democratic Senate candidate from Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed, and a town hall attendee who demanded he condemn the Muslim Brotherhood movement. El-Sayed, who could become the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate, rejected any connection to the movement and accused the attendee of questioning his loyalty to the United States because of his religion. The confrontation took place in Caro, Michigan, when one attendee called out to the candidate: "Abdul, are you willing to disavow the Muslim Brotherhood movement?" El-Sayed replied: "You assume that because I am Muslim I have loyalty to something other than our Constitution?" and added: "For me, the Constitution is the guiding compass." The confrontation comes amid repeated accusations from Republican politicians, including President Donald Trump and El-Sayed's Senate race opponent, Mike Rogers, regarding possible ties between him and the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed has denied that he or his family members are connected to the movement. The candidate is known for his critical positions toward Israel, including accusations of "genocide" in Gaza and calls to end U.S. military aid.