Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed confronts former Josh Hawley aide about Muslim Brotherhood

Town hall exchange details

The man, identified only as Tommy during the event, shouted from the crowd asking if El-Sayed would reject the group. El-Sayed replied immediately that he would absolutely disavow any association with the movement before turning the question back on the interrupter. He asked whether the heckler assumed he would not answer the demand.

Comparison to past religious bias

El-Sayed compared the questioning to historical doubts raised about John F Kennedy's Catholicism while stating he is an American who happens to be Muslim. The heckler confirmed he would not disavow reading religious doctrine into law before leaving the room after the exchange. Thomas Teepell was later identified as a former aide to Republican Senator Josh Hawley based on congressional staff records.

Teepell career background

Records show Teepell joined Hawley's office as an intern in 2023 and served as operations director until leaving in February. He previously worked as political director for Philip Sarnecki's Kansas gubernatorial campaign before his role with Hawley.