Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed repeatedly interrupted Fox News host Bret Baier when asked about his family’s reported Muslim Brotherhood connections and a 2012 letter he signed supporting decisions by Egypt’s then-president, Mohamed Morsi. El-Sayed accused Baier of questioning his loyalty to the United States and told the anchor, “Don’t be Rogers’ campaign.” When Baier continued pressing him about the letter, the candidate challenged his journalism. “Be a journalist,” El-Sayed said.
The October 23rd exchange on “Special Report” followed scrutiny of social media posts in which El-Sayed’s half-sister described their family’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood and their mother’s alleged involvement in its activism. Republican Senate opponent Mike Rogers has also cited El-Sayed’s signature on the letter supporting decisions by Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood figure. Baier attempted to question El-Sayed about that document during the interview. El-Sayed responded by invoking his commitment to the Constitution and denying that he had ever been a member of the organization.
“Mike Rogers has been really hitting this Muslim Brotherhood thing,” Baier began. “I know you don’t want to talk about your family and the history there,” he continued, before the two began speaking over one another. “No, no, no, no. Let me just stop there,” El-Sayed interjected. “You are asking this question to raise a question about whether or not I have dual loyalty.”
In the Fox News interview, Baier tried to specify the campaign material he was asking about as El-Sayed continued answering. The host referenced a statement from 2012, then attempted to return to the letter as the candidate spoke about the Constitution. El-Sayed pledged to take the oath required of senators. “And as every senator who’s ever served, I will swear an oath to that Constitution,” he said.
The letter concerned Egypt’s then-president, Mohamed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood figure. According to the New York Post’s reporting on the exchange, El-Sayed had signed the 2012 letter addressed to Morsi. Baier attempted to ask about that document while El-Sayed objected to how it would be presented. “You’re going to ask questions about my allegiance. Let me just be clear,” the candidate said.
Baier explained that he was asking about material raised by Rogers’ campaign. El-Sayed then directed his criticism at the interviewer himself, telling him, “Don’t be Rogers’ campaign.” Baier continued trying to ask his question as El-Sayed added, “Be a journalist.” The host responded, “I am.”
Watch El-Sayed’s exchange with Baier here:
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El-Sayed then addressed membership in the organization directly. “I have never been a member of the Muslim Brotherhood,” he said. “I never will be a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.” He continued, “I am interested in serving the United States. I’m interested in swearing an oath to the Constitution that every senator has sworn an oath to.”
The candidate accused Rogers of making his religion an issue in the Senate campaign. He also brought President Donald Trump into his response while addressing Baier’s questions. “If the question about my faith is the issue, which Mike Rogers wants it to be, I think it is sad and beneath him, and frankly beneath the president of the United States, to make that an issue,” El-Sayed said. “Because under our Constitution, you’re guaranteed the right to pray as you choose to pray.”
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video.