El-Sayed Reacts Defensively to Baier’s Questions
During an interview on “Special Report,” Abdul El-Sayed, a contender for the Michigan Senate, attempted to interrupt Fox News host Bret Baier when asked about his past connection to the Muslim Brotherhood.
The often divisive Democratic candidate became defensive, frequently interrupting Baier as he inquired about a letter from 2012 addressed to the leader of the extremist group in Egypt that El-Sayed had signed.
“Bret, Bret … no, no, no … let me just stop there,” El-Sayed said, cutting off Baier’s attempt to finish his question.
He speculated that Baier’s question was an implication of dual loyalty. “You are asking this question to raise the question about whether or not I have dual loyalty,” he stated.
Baier replied, “I’m not, this is specific.”
El-Sayed then asserted, “My loyalty will be to the Constitution of the United States, and as every senator who’s ever served, I will swear an oath to that Constitution,” once again interrupting Baier.
Even as Baier tried to ask his question again, El-Sayed talked over him. “I’m not interested in anything you’re going to pull out from a 2012 statement, a letter; you’re going to pull that out of context, you’re going to ask questions about my allegiance,” he added.
He snapped, “Don’t be Rogers’ campaign. Be a journalist.”
Condescendingly, he informed Baier, “if you’re asking the question about my allegiance to the Constitution: I have never been a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. I never will be a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. I am interested in serving the United States. I’m interested in swearing an oath to the Constitution that every senator has sworn oath to.”
The contentious letter, which El-Sayed signed alongside over 30 others, called on Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s newly appointed president and a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, to “purge” the media and police, as reported by the Washington Free Beacon last month.
This letter appeared on the Egyptian news site Al-Ahram Gate and coincided with a severe crackdown on journalists in Egypt under Morsi’s administration.
In another interview, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers criticized El-Sayed, suggesting he failed to adequately distance himself from the Muslim Brotherhood during his exchange with Baier. “He’s been dancing around this issue for a while,” Rogers commented.
According to Rogers, “When you support an organization and say you’re going to purge the press and purge the police, not to say it, encourage them to do it … he has adopted the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood.”
While the group is designated as a terrorist organization by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, it is not considered one by the United States. Its notoriety is partly due to its more radical splinter groups, such as Hamas.
El-Sayed, whose parents immigrated from Egypt, has faced scrutiny over family ties to the Brotherhood, spotlighted through his half-sister’s shared tweets from 2012.
The Senate hopeful has accused Rogers of using his Muslim background as a campaign point, a claim Rogers has refuted. “It is not how he prays; it’s how he thinks,” Rogers explained to Baier.
El-Sayed declines to comment on Muslim Brotherhood letter: ‘I’m not interested’
El-Sayed Reacts Defensively to Baier’s Questions
During an interview on “Special Report,” Abdul El-Sayed, a contender for the Michigan Senate, attempted to interrupt Fox News host Bret Baier when asked about his past connection to the Muslim Brotherhood.
The often divisive Democratic candidate became defensive, frequently interrupting Baier as he inquired about a letter from 2012 addressed to the leader of the extremist group in Egypt that El-Sayed had signed.
“Bret, Bret … no, no, no … let me just stop there,” El-Sayed said, cutting off Baier’s attempt to finish his question.
He speculated that Baier’s question was an implication of dual loyalty. “You are asking this question to raise the question about whether or not I have dual loyalty,” he stated.
Baier replied, “I’m not, this is specific.”
El-Sayed then asserted, “My loyalty will be to the Constitution of the United States, and as every senator who’s ever served, I will swear an oath to that Constitution,” once again interrupting Baier.
Even as Baier tried to ask his question again, El-Sayed talked over him. “I’m not interested in anything you’re going to pull out from a 2012 statement, a letter; you’re going to pull that out of context, you’re going to ask questions about my allegiance,” he added.
He snapped, “Don’t be Rogers’ campaign. Be a journalist.”
Condescendingly, he informed Baier, “if you’re asking the question about my allegiance to the Constitution: I have never been a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. I never will be a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. I am interested in serving the United States. I’m interested in swearing an oath to the Constitution that every senator has sworn oath to.”
The contentious letter, which El-Sayed signed alongside over 30 others, called on Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s newly appointed president and a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, to “purge” the media and police, as reported by the Washington Free Beacon last month.
This letter appeared on the Egyptian news site Al-Ahram Gate and coincided with a severe crackdown on journalists in Egypt under Morsi’s administration.
In another interview, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers criticized El-Sayed, suggesting he failed to adequately distance himself from the Muslim Brotherhood during his exchange with Baier. “He’s been dancing around this issue for a while,” Rogers commented.
According to Rogers, “When you support an organization and say you’re going to purge the press and purge the police, not to say it, encourage them to do it … he has adopted the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood.”
While the group is designated as a terrorist organization by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, it is not considered one by the United States. Its notoriety is partly due to its more radical splinter groups, such as Hamas.
El-Sayed, whose parents immigrated from Egypt, has faced scrutiny over family ties to the Brotherhood, spotlighted through his half-sister’s shared tweets from 2012.
The Senate hopeful has accused Rogers of using his Muslim background as a campaign point, a claim Rogers has refuted. “It is not how he prays; it’s how he thinks,” Rogers explained to Baier.
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