Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed comments on Trump and Whitmer kidnapping plot

Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for the Senate in Michigan, accused former President Donald Trump of inciting terrorism during a 2020 interview, referencing a foiled plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer. El-Sayed stated, "These are terrorists; we have to call them that," emphasizing the need to recognize the radicalization of individuals involved in such plots. He linked this radicalization to extremist rhetoric, suggesting that Trump's calls to "liberate Michigan" contributed to a culture that fosters violence. The kidnapping plot, which involved a group associated with anti-government militias, was thwarted by law enforcement in October 2020. El-Sayed's remarks come as he competes against Rep. Haley Stevens in the upcoming primary election on August 4. His campaign has not commented on whether his views regarding Trump's rhetoric have changed following reports that some individuals involved in the plot were government informants.