Abdul El-Sayed Addresses Defund Police Controversy

During an appearance on CNN’s “Inside Politics,” Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed faced questions regarding his past remarks on “defunding the police.” A radio interview resurfaced where El-Sayed clearly advocated for defunding police budgets following the George Floyd protests in 2020.

He mentioned, “I believe we need to defund the police insofar as defunding the police means wasting investment in the means to lock up and kill police on the streets. And by investing more in education and empowerment tools to give communities the tools to address systemic poverty, we have allowed systemic racism to fester in too many communities.”

In probing El-Sayed’s statements, CNN’s Manu Raju noted the contradiction with his prior claims of not supporting defunding. El-Sayed responded that defining terms is crucial, emphasizing the need for investment in community resources rather than militarized police equipment. He pointed to excessive military supplies that were sold to local law enforcement as a concern.

El-Sayed affirmed his commitment to supporting law enforcement, stating, “I believe in investing in law enforcement retention and retirement. I have worked closely with law enforcement during my time in Wayne County.” However, Raju probed whether the topic would emerge as a significant point in the upcoming election.

El-Sayed elaborated, “I don’t think that’s really the case. Most folks want to feel safe at home. Law enforcement often views social issues through a lens of force, which isn’t always the best approach.” He suggested focusing on alternatives like sending mental health professionals instead of armed police for certain situations.

He continued, “That’s what I’m talking about. If we genuinely want to talk about public safety, my viewpoint aligns with the desires of most reasonable people on this matter.”

Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed’s campaign but did not receive an immediate response.

Leading up to his campaign, El-Sayed deleted tweets that criticized police funding. He previously stated, “Most major U.S. cities spend too much on police departments to fight poverty, but too little on public services to end it.” When questioned by CNN about his past comments, he maintained he wasn’t part of any defund initiative, framing the conversation around what kind of policing system is desired instead of merely focusing on financial aspects.