Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, suggested that Americans could die if Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is elected, arguing that the Democrat could use U.S. intelligence to tip off terrorists. Cruz made the comments while campaigning for Republican candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan on Wednesday.
The dispute centers on Cruz’s assertion that El-Sayed is a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood. Cruz warned that if El-Sayed were appointed to the Senate Intelligence Committee, he might leak information about imminent counterterrorism operations to the targets, thereby endangering American service members and intelligence operatives.
What the Right Is Saying
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, framed the election outcome as a matter of life and death for American personnel. "If Abdul El-Sayed becomes the senator from Michigan, there is absolutely nothing to stop Chuck Schumer from placing Abdul El-Sayed on the Senate Intelligence Committee," Cruz said.
Cruz argued that the committee has access to the nation's "most closely-guarded secrets" and that El-Sayed’s alleged passion for the Muslim Brotherhood creates a conflict of interest. "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," Cruz warned.
Cruz elaborated on the specific risks, noting that American service members are currently fighting "Muslim Brotherhood terrorists" and that covert operatives are working to prevent attacks. "We have every reason to believe that Abdul El-Sayed, if he found out, 'OK, they're about to apprehend these terrorists,' that he would let those terrorists know," Cruz claimed.
What the Left Is Saying
Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat, has firmly denied any affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood. Speaking to Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier last week, El-Sayed stated that he has "never been" and "never will be a member of the Muslim Brotherhood."
El-Sayed emphasized that his primary focus is on serving the United States and upholding the oath of office to the Constitution, which every senator takes upon assuming their duties. "I am interested in serving the United States. I'm interested in swearing an oath to the Constitution that every senator has swore an oath to," El-Sayed said.
What the Numbers Show
Cruz made these comments while campaigning for former Rep. Mike Rogers in the Wolverine State on Wednesday. Rogers is backed by President Donald Trump in the contest against El-Sayed.
The source notes that neither the El-Sayed nor the Rogers campaigns immediately responded to Fox News Digital's requests for comment on Thursday regarding the latest remarks.
The Bottom Line
The exchange highlights the intensifying rhetoric in the Michigan Senate race, with national security issues becoming a focal point for Republican attacks on Democratic candidates. Cruz’s comments link a candidate’s political affiliations directly to potential operational security failures, a strategy that may resonate with voters concerned about terrorism.
El-Sayed’s denial sets up a continued debate over the definition of political loyalty and the qualifications for access to high-level intelligence. The outcome of the Michigan race will determine whether these warnings translate into electoral consequences for the Democratic nominee.