Ted Cruz claims ‘Americans will die’ if Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate seat

GROSSE POINT WOODS, MICHIGAN: Republican Senator Ted Cruz on Wednesday, October 28, warned that “Americans will die” if Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan’s closely watched Senate race, escalating Republican attacks over allegations of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Speaking at a campaign event for Michigan’s Republican nominee Mike Rogers on Wednesday, October 28, Cruz argued that El-Sayed could gain access to classified intelligence and potentially be appointed to the Senate Intelligence Committee. El-Sayed has repeatedly denied any affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood and accused Republicans of using his Muslim faith and family history against him. 

Ted Cruz claims El-Sayed could access classified intelligence

Cruz told attendees that senators receive access to highly classified information upon taking office without going through the same security clearance process as other officials. The Republican senator argued that Democratic Senate leadership could appoint El-Sayed to the Senate Intelligence Committee, which oversees intelligence agencies and receives sensitive national security information.

“If Abdul El-Sayed becomes the senator for Michigan, there is absolutely nothing to stop Chuck Schumer from placing Abdul El-Sayed on the Senate Intelligence Committee,” Cruz said.

Cruz then linked the possibility of such an appointment to allegations that El-Sayed supports the Muslim Brotherhood, a claim the Democratic candidate has repeatedly rejected.

“The Senate Intelligence Committee has access to our most closely guarded secrets. And if I am correct that he is a passionate supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, there is a very real risk that Americans will die as a result. We have American servicemen and women in harm's way fighting Muslim Brotherhood right now,” Cruz said.

Cruz also used a derogatory nickname for El-Sayed during the campaign appearance. The allegations have become a central part of Rogers’ closing campaign message in a race that could affect control of the Senate.

Rogers has separately accused El-Sayed of having ties to the group and questioned his loyalty to the United States. El-Sayed has rejected those accusations, saying his family members are not running for office and that voters should judge him on his own actions and record.

Abdul El-Sayed rejects Muslim Brotherhood allegations as poll shows lead

El-Sayed’s campaign criticized Cruz’s remarks, describing them as an attempt by Republicans to distract voters from economic concerns. The nominee’s campaign spokesperson, Cole Wozniak, told CBS News that “Ted Cruz is a deeply unpopular politician who has long supported policies that hurt Michigan families, including voting to cut healthcare for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders.”

“His dangerous comments are just the latest example of Mike Rogers and his MAGA allies attempting to distract voters from the fact that the price of gas, groceries, and everything else has skyrocketed due to the failed policies of the Trump administration,” Wozniak added.

Cruz made the remarks as the race remained among the most closely watched Senate contests nationally. A Mitchell Research & Communications poll conducted on October 26 and 27 showed El-Sayed leading Rogers by seven percentage points.

Among likely voters, 51 percent supported El-Sayed and 44 percent backed Rogers, while 3 percent were undecided.