Michigan’s newly elected Senator Abdul Muhammad El-Sayed is drawing fierce backlash over his alleged connections to the Muslim Brotherhood and foreign policy stakes that critics warn could undermine U.S. national security. The controversy erupted immediately after his victory, when a former spokesman for Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood political party publicly celebrated El-Sayed’s win as a model for advancing Islamic interests within Western governments.
Brotherhood Links Raise Alarms
Abdel Mawgoud al-Dardiri, a former Muslim Brotherhood official, hailed El-Sayed’s election as proof that working “from within the political system” could benefit the “Islamic world.” The Muslim Brotherhood, designated as a terrorist organization by several U.S. allies, has long been accused of seeking to infiltrate Western institutions. El-Sayed’s victory speech, where he referenced Islamic phrases like “inshallah” and “alhamdulillah,” further fueled criticism from national security hawks.
Controversial Policy Shifts
Days after his election, El-Sayed called for ending U.S. partnerships with Gulf allies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE—nations that actively combat terrorist groups and have banned the Muslim Brotherhood. His proposal to cut ties with these strategic partners, who provide critical intelligence sharing and military access, has drawn bipartisan concern. “These alliances are vital to countering Iran, China, and terrorist networks,” one defense analyst noted. “Severing them would be catastrophic.”
Staffing and PAC Scrutiny
El-Sayed’s first transition hire, attorney Brenda Abdelall, has previously accused “Zionists” of controlling U.S. politics. Her mother, Mona Abdelall, founded a local chapter of the American Muslim Council, whose leaders once expressed support for Hamas. Meanwhile, El-Sayed’s newly formed Habibi PAC—launched after he campaigned on getting “money out of politics”—has raised ethics questions. Critics argue these associations reveal a pattern of aligning with groups hostile to U.S. interests.
As El-Sayed prepares to take office, his unapologetic rhetoric and policy shifts are setting up a collision course with Washington’s foreign policy establishment. With Michigan’s Arab-American community playing a pivotal role in his election, the senator-elect shows no signs of moderating his stance—leaving national security experts bracing for turbulence ahead.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/michigans-new-senator-is-a-national-security-nightmare