Michigan Senate Democratic candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed addressed his recent controversial remarks during an interview on June 30, 2026. El-Sayed, who is campaigning for the Democratic nomination for Michigan’s Senate seat in 2026, has recently removed some past comments regarding defunding the police from his social media. He faced backlash for his response to a synagogue attack in March, where he stated that 'hurt people hurt people.'
In the interview, CBS anchor Major Garrett referenced Michelle Obama's phrase, 'When they go low, we go high,' and asked El-Sayed for his perspective. El-Sayed responded by emphasizing the need for Democrats to stand up against bullying, saying, 'I won’t start the fight, but I’ll end it.' He also addressed a previous statement where he mentioned, 'When they go low, we don’t go high. We take them to the mud and choke them out.'
Garrett questioned El-Sayed about his association with far-left streamer Hasan Piker, suggesting it could be a point of contention for his opponents. El-Sayed replied that accountability should focus on individuals rather than their associates, criticizing the political 'gotcha game.'