Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Oct 26: US President Donald Trump has intensified his attacks on Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, calling him a “Jihadist Member of the Muslim Brotherhood”, comparing him to the perpetrators of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and demanding that he undergo metal detector screening if elected to the US Senate in November’s midterm elections.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday, Trump urged voters to support Republican candidate Mike Rogers, a former congressman, while accusing Democrats of allowing violent anti-American extremists into the United States. El-Sayed has repeatedly denied having any ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
During his speech, Trump invoked Todd Beamer, a Michigan native who helped passengers resist hijackers aboard United Airlines Flight 93 during the September 11 attacks. He drew a comparison between the passengers' resistance and what he described as the need to prevent El-Sayed from entering the US Capitol.
“Twenty-five years later, Michigan needs to stand up and fight, just like Todd did, to stop a jihadist from walking into the Capitol,” Trump said.
The US President also repeated his demand that El-Sayed face additional security screening if he wins the election.
“He would be the only senator that will have to go through a metal detector before he's allowed to go in the Senate,” Trump said, adding that he wanted the candidate to undergo such screening.
Ahead of the rally, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to describe El-Sayed as a “Jihadist Member of the Muslim Brotherhood” and claimed that the candidate wanted the United States to adopt Sharia law.
“Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed wants our Country to go to Sharia Law. If it ever does, he should be the first that’s tried!” Trump wrote.
Trump also questioned whether El-Sayed should have access to sensitive national security information if elected to the Senate.
El-Sayed has rejected suggestions that his religious beliefs or background would compromise his loyalty to the United States.
During a recent town hall meeting in Caro, Michigan, he was asked whether he would disavow the Muslim Brotherhood. Responding to the question, El-Sayed said it was based on an assumption that he would have divided loyalties.
“You’re asking the question because implicitly you assume that I’ll have dual loyalties,” he said, adding that he would take an oath to uphold the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.
The Michigan Senate race has emerged as a closely watched contest ahead of the November midterm elections. A Marist poll cited in media reports showed El-Sayed leading Rogers by 50 per cent to 48 per cent among likely Michigan voters.
Former Democratic president Barack Obama campaigned for El-Sayed in Detroit on Saturday, urging supporters to back the candidate.
Obama also criticised Trump's handling of the Iran war during a separate rally in Cleveland, Ohio, where he campaigned for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, who is challenging Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
Meanwhile, Trump highlighted his administration's record on the automobile industry and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, claiming credit for industrial expansion and job creation in Michigan.
The latest exchange underscores the increasingly confrontational tone of the campaign as both parties seek to strengthen their positions ahead of the midterm elections. Trump's remarks have placed El-Sayed's religious background and alleged political associations at the centre of the contest, while the candidate has defended his loyalty to the Constitution.