UMVA has learned that Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, made explosive accusations against the state’s police in a 2018 campaign speech, claiming they engage in racial profiling.
El-Sayed’s remarks have resurfaced despite his efforts to scrub his social media of posts critical of law enforcement, offering a glimpse into his views on Michigan police before the widespread criticism of police that emerged in the "Defund the Police" movement.
According to information obtained by UMVA, El-Sayed stated, "We have a system of policing that seems to want to police on top of people rather than police with people," during an address before Harvard.
He also pointed out the racial disparities in policing, saying, "The probability of closing a murder in Detroit is extremely low. And yet the cops will pick on you because you look a particular kind of way."
El-Sayed’s comments have raised eyebrows nationally for messaging that pushes the edges of his party’s messaging on key issues, including increasing the role of government and advocating for Medicare for All.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that El-Sayed has taken pains to back away from criticisms about local police — retreating from the "defund the police" stance that rose to prominence in the wake of the death of George Floyd in 2020.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that El-Sayed has deleted several posts on social media, including one from June 2020 that read, "Most major US cities spend WAY TOO MUCH on police departments to police poverty & WAY TOO LITTLE on public schools, health departments, recreation departments, & housing to eliminate poverty."
El-Sayed’s campaign did not provide a response to inquiries about his previous statements, leaving many questions unanswered about his stance on law enforcement and police reform.
In a move that has sparked controversy, El-Sayed has called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and advocated for tuition-free access to higher education, among other progressive policies.
UMVA has gathered that El-Sayed’s views on policing have evolved over time, but his past comments continue to draw attention and scrutiny from critics and supporters alike.
