Republicans scrutinize El-Sayed’s 2011 Egypt comments

Republicans object to possible committee role

Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania are criticizing Abdul El-Sayed over comments he made during Egypt’s 2011 uprising. Both senators serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the panel that reviews foreign-policy legislation, treaties and diplomatic nominations.

Lee said El-Sayed should not serve in the Senate or on the committee, citing what Lee described as ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and support for its rise in Egypt. McCormick wrote on X that El-Sayed’s views should exclude him from the panel.

Their comments followed a claim from Jordan Domingue, who was El-Sayed’s security chief during his 2018 campaign for Michigan governor. Domingue wrote on X that El-Sayed wants a Foreign Relations Committee seat despite lacking foreign-policy experience. Fox News reported the criticism and Domingue’s claim.

What El-Sayed wrote and says now

In a 2011 Huffington Post essay, El-Sayed urged President Barack Obama’s administration to support Egyptian protesters seeking greater political freedom. He argued that backing their calls for free expression and a voice in government served U.S. interests.

The essay discussed the prospect of the Muslim Brotherhood replacing Egypt’s government. El-Sayed argued that such an outcome would not necessarily produce a government resembling Iran’s. A Muslim Brotherhood-backed government took power in Egypt in 2012 and was removed by the military in 2013.

El-Sayed recently said at a town hall that he disavows the Muslim Brotherhood. His campaign did not respond to Fox News questions about the 2011 essay.