‘Just stop’: El-Sayed clashes with Bret Baier over Muslim Brotherhood ties

WASHINGTON, DC: Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed clashed with Fox News anchor Bret Baier on Friday, October 23, accusing him of raising questions about his loyalty to the United States while discussing allegations involving the Muslim Brotherhood. 

El-Sayed pushed back against questions about a 2012 letter concerning former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, who was affiliated with the organization. His Republican opponent Mike Rogers, also repeated the allegations in a separate interview with Baier, arguing that the dispute concerned El-Sayed’s political beliefs rather than his Muslim faith. The interviews came 11 days before the November 3 election, as both candidates made their final appeals to Michigan voters.

El-Sayed challenges Baier over questions about his loyalty to the US

During an interview on 'Special Report,' Baier questioned El-Sayed about a 2012 open letter he signed concerning Morsi. The letter urged the Egyptian president to “purge the media and police” of supporters of former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, who had been ousted from power.

Baier began asking about Rogers’ campaign attacks and the letter when El-Sayed interrupted him.

“No, no, no, let me just stop there,” El-Sayed said. “You are asking this question to raise a question about whether or not I have dual loyalties.”

Baier then responded that he was asking about allegations raised by Rogers’ campaign. El-Sayed immediately replied, “I will be loyal to the Constitution of the United States.”

The exchange continued as El-Sayed accused Baier of amplifying his opponent’s claims. “Don't be Rogers' campaign,” El-Sayed said.

“I'm asking a question,” Baier replied.

“Be a journalist,” El-Sayed said, prompting Baier to respond, “I am.”

El-Sayed has repeatedly denied ever belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood and said that he was interested in serving the United States and swearing an oath to the Constitution. The Democratic candidate also criticized Rogers for making his Muslim faith a campaign issue, calling the suggestion “sad” and “beneath him.”

The allegations have also drawn attention to social media posts by El-Sayed’s half-sister, who has described their mother’s alleged involvement in Muslim Brotherhood activism during the 1970s. El-Sayed has denied personal or family ties to the organization and has said he grew up with his father and stepmother.

Rogers repeats Muslim Brotherhood claims against El-Sayed

In his separate interview with Baier, Rogers rejected El-Sayed’s characterization of the controversy as an attack on his religion. The Republican candidate argued that his criticism concerned the Democrat’s alleged political ideology.

“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 then alleged that El-Sayed “has adopted the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood.” Baier noted that El-Sayed had denied belonging to the organization and had pledged allegiance to the Constitution.

Rogers responded, “Does he disavow? Does he really say it?”

However, at an October 17 town hall, El-Sayed had explicitly disavowed the organization, answering, “Sure. Yeah, absolutely” when asked whether he rejected it.