{"id":2610433,"date":"2026-06-03T23:38:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T03:38:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-denounce-new-jersey-democratic-nominee-over-ties-to-militant-islamist\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T23:39:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T03:39:24","slug":"republicans-denounce-new-jersey-democratic-nominee-over-ties-to-militant-islamist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-denounce-new-jersey-democratic-nominee-over-ties-to-militant-islamist\/","title":{"rendered":"Republicans denounce New Jersey Democratic nominee over ties to militant Islamist"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frepublicans-denounce-new-jersey-democratic-nominee-over-ties-to-militant-islamist%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2610433&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Republicans are criticizing progressive Democrat Adam Hamawy,who has just won the New Jersey 12th District primary and is expected to win in November,for his past ties to the Islamist militant figure Omar Abdel-Rahman,known as the \u201cBlind Sheikh.\u201d  <\/p>\n<p>The criticism centers on accounts that Hamawy testified for Abdel-Rahman\u2019s defence during the cleric\u2019s trial and that Hamawy associated with him years earlier,including joining him on a trip in 1991. Abdel-Rahman, who was later convicted for involvement in the World Trade Center bombing-related conspiracy, is described as a leader of a terrorist group tied to violence against governments and the United States.  <\/p>\n<p>hamawy has not been charged with any wrongdoing,and his campaign says he condemns the man\u2019s violence and that he had no contact with Abdel-Rahman after his arrest. The campaign also argues Hamawy\u2019s involvement was limited to a religious context in a small New Jersey Muslim community, and notes that he served in the military later, including a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >high-trust medical deployment<\/a> in Iraq.  <\/p>\n<p>Multiple Republicans-including Rep. Mike Lawler, the RNC, and others-say his connections should lead to inquiry and argue that the ties disqualify him from serving in Congress or on committees. Supporters point to Hamawy\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/military-to-assist-michigan-with-coronavirus-surge-after-gov-whitmer-seeks-help\/\" title=\"... to Assist Michigan with Coronavirus Surge After Gov. Whitmer Seeks Help\">military medical work<\/a>, including recognition for helping save Sen. Tammy Duckworth after a 2004 helicopter crash. Hamawy is also backed by prominent progressives.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"240\">Republicans<\/a> are denouncing progressive Democrat Adam Hamawy over previous ties to a militant <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/islamist\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2898\">Islamist<\/a> known as the \u201cBlind Sheikh.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hamawy, who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4592136\/democrat-primary-new-jersey-12th-district\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4592136\/democrat-primary-new-jersey-12th-district\/\">won his primary race<\/a> for New Jersey\u2019s deep-blue 12th District on Tuesday night and is virtually guaranteed to win in November\u2019s general election, drew attention during his campaign after his past association with Omar Abdel-Rahman resurfaced.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4594024\/texas-election-chief-departs-ahead-midterm-elections\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Texas elections chief steps down ahead of midterm elections<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4593967\/california-vulnerable-republican-redistricting-victims-primaries\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>How California\u2019s vulnerable Republican redistricting victims have fared in their primaries<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4576195\/house-clears-resolution-to-rein-in-trumps-war-powers\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump suffers defeat as four House Republicans back removing US from hostilities with Iran<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Abdel-Rahman was the founder and spiritual leader of al Jama\u2019a al Islamiyya, an Islamist terrorist group involved in political violence against the Egyptian government and the United States. He was arrested in 1993 and convicted of seditious conspiracy and terrorism over his involvement in the World Trade Center bombing, earning him a life sentence in solitary confinement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hamawy, who has never been charged with anything, testified for the defense during Abdel-Rahman\u2019s trial about his yearslong association with the militant cleric, including joining him in 1991 on a trip to Michigan for a conference on the Islamic economy. During the conference, transcripts show Abdel-Rahman talked about \u201cconquering the land of the infidels,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/newsletters\/new-jersey-playbook\/2026\/05\/05\/the-history-of-hamawy-and-the-blind-sheikh-00906080\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/newsletters\/new-jersey-playbook\/2026\/05\/05\/the-history-of-hamawy-and-the-blind-sheikh-00906080\">according to <em>Politico. <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that Hamawy, a retired U.S. Army combat surgeon, should be investigated if he wins the seat held by retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) in November.\u00a0Lawler said Hamawy\u2019s ties to Abdel-Rahman raise \u201csignificant\u201d concerns and questions that Hamawy has \u201cnot adequately addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think there should be a thorough investigation into his ties here, and certainly I would have significant concerns about him serving on any committee, let alone in Congress,\u201d Lawler went on to say.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A spokesperson for Hamawy\u2019s campaign said that the New Jersey Democrat \u201ccondemns that man\u2019s violent rhetoric and actions, and all violence, hatred, and terrorism \u2014 and he will always. Dr. Hamawy had no contact with this person after they were arrested.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe was in the military at the time the events litigated in the trial took place, during the trial, and after the trial,\u201d his campaign said. \u201cIn the years that followed, Dr. Hamawy was chosen for one of the most sensitive and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democratic-house-front-runner-faces-scrutiny-over-past-terrorist-association\/\" title=\"...ic House front-runner faces scrutiny over past terrorist association\">highest-trust roles<\/a> for an Army doctor: deployment to treat critically injured troops in Iraq.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The spokesperson also defended Hamawy\u2019s association with Abdel-Rahman at the time, saying he was \u201cone of very few religious figures in what was then a very small Muslim community in New Jersey.\u201d According to Hamawy\u2019s campaign, the Democratic candidate saw Abdel-Rahman speak in religious settings during his early 20s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kristen Cianci said in a statement to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that \u201cHamawy\u2019s terrorist ties wholly disqualify him from public office, and any Democrat who refuses to condemn him is condoning his actions. New Jersey Democrats will answer for them at the ballot box.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hamawy is credited with helping save Sen. Tammy Duckworth\u2019s (D-IL) life after her helicopter was shot down in Iraq in 2004. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt is because of his sacrifice, that I\u2019m not only alive \u2014 but I\u2019ve been able to go on to serve my country and the people of Illinois in the United States Senate,\u201d Duckworth said in a statement regarding the incident. <\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4460164\/trump-endorsement-tracker-gop-2026-election-primaries\/\">TRUMP ENDORSEMENT TRACKER: HERE\u2019S WHO THE PRESIDENT HAS PICKED IN GOP MIDTERM ELECTION PRIMARIES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hamawy has campaigned as a progressive Democrat and expressed interest in joining the ranks of the so-called Squad. He is backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).<\/p>\n<p>National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Maureen O\u2019Toole said in a statement that Hamawy\u2019s ties are \u201cdeeply disturbing, and his fellow Democrats, including Rebecca Bennett and Nellie Pou, must answer for them. To remain silent is to condone them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Brady Knox contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Republicans attack Adam Hamawy over ties to the \u201cBlind Sheikh.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2912,"featured_media":2610434,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2157277712.jpg?w=594","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[33173,80805,33096,36160,3756],"class_list":["post-2610433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-democratic-nominee","tag-militant-islamism","tag-new-jersey","tag-political-controversy","tag-republicans"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2157277712.jpg?w=594","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2610433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2912"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2610433"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2610433\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2610437,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2610433\/revisions\/2610437"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2610434"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2610433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2610433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2610433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}