{"id":2673170,"date":"2026-09-30T12:15:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T16:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/abdul-el-sayed-continues-to-deflect-controversies-byron-york\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T12:17:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T16:17:15","slug":"abdul-el-sayed-continues-to-deflect-controversies-byron-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/abdul-el-sayed-continues-to-deflect-controversies-byron-york\/","title":{"rendered":"Abdul el Sayed continues to deflect controversies: Byron York"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/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%2Fabdul-el-sayed-continues-to-deflect-controversies-byron-york%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=2673170&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>byron York, washington Examiner\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/prince-harry-meghan-markle-blasted-for-airing-royal-familys-dirty-laundry-in-oprah-interview-whine-athon\/\" title=\"Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Blasted For Airing Royal Family\u2019s Dirty Laundry In Oprah Interview: \u2018Whine-athon\u2019\">chief political correspondent<\/a>, criticized Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul el Sayed for comparing the September 11 terrorist attacks with the U.S. response, calling such a comparison offensive. York emphasized that equating these events is outrageous and reflected on el sayed\u2019s comments from a 2021 podcast, where el Sayed questioned the post-9\/11 retaliations, suggesting they harmed many innocent people. York dismissed proposals for reparations, labeling them as political talking points without consensus or clear implementation plans. Additionally, York addressed controversies surrounding el Sayed\u2019s support from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and accusations linked to terrorism, which el Sayed attributed to racial bias and his religious practices. York argued that concerns about terrorism are legitimate, and dismissing them as racial discrimination is a tactic to deflect criticism.  <\/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\"><em>Washington Examiner<\/em> chief political correspondent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/byron-york\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"333\">Byron York<\/a> blasted Michigan Democratic Senate nominee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/abdul-el-sayed\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"23138\">Abdul el Sayed<\/a> for his comparison of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/september-11-terrorist-attacks\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"586\">Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks<\/a> and the United States\u2019s response.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe idea of equalizing what was done on 9\/11 by al Qaeda and what was done afterwards by the United States and other Western powers is just absolutely offensive,\u201d York said Tuesday on <em>The Hugh Hewitt Show<\/em>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<style>.explore-more-section { background: var(--wex-bg); border-top: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; margin: 24px 0; margin-top: -20px; }<\/style>\n<style id=\"mos-03f81692-6fc3-453a-89e9-1c4e71af274c-style\">@scope (#mos-03f81692-6fc3-453a-89e9-1c4e71af274c) { .we-meter {   --we-red: #DB3745;   --we-charcoal: #323E48;   --we-blue: #15BEF0;   --we-slate: #85A0AB;   --we-gold: #ECC270;   --we-text: #323E48;   --we-border: #85A0AB;    max-width: 800px;   margin: 0 auto;   padding: 1.5rem;   border: 1px solid rgba(33, 39, 42, 0.4);   border-radius: 12px;   background: #fff;   color: var(--we-text);   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important; }  .we-grid {   display: grid;   grid-template-columns: 1fr 200px;   gap: 1.5rem;   align-items: center; }  .we-title {   margin: 0 0 0.5rem;   font-family: Constantia, \"Lucida Bright\", \"DejaVu Serif\", Georgia, \"serif\" !important;   font-size: 1.75rem !important;   line-height: 1.1 !important;   letter-spacing: -0.02em !important; }  .we-title span {   display: block;   color: var(--we-red); }  .we-copy {   margin: 0;   font-size: 1rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-actions {   text-align: center; }  .we-cta {   display: flex;   align-items: center;   justify-content: center;   gap: 8px;   width: 100%;   padding: 12px 16px;   border-radius: 8px;   background: var(--we-red);   color: #fff !important;   text-decoration: none;   font-size: 0.9rem !important;   font-weight: 700 !important; }  .we-arrow {   font-size: 1.2em !important; }  .we-member {   margin: 12px 0 0;   font-size: 0.85rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-member a {   color: var(--we-red);   text-decoration: none; }  @media (max-width: 600px) {   .we-grid {     grid-template-columns: 1fr;     gap: 1rem;   }   .we-meter {     padding: 1.25rem;   }   .we-cta {     padding: 14px;   } } }<\/style>\n<p><script>if (typeof CSSScopeRule == 'undefined') { const style = document.getElementById('mos-03f81692-6fc3-453a-89e9-1c4e71af274c-style'); if (style) { style.textContent = style.textContent.replace(\/^@scope (#mos-03f81692-6fc3-453a-89e9-1c4e71af274c) { \/, '').replace(\/}$\/, '');}}<\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"mos-03f81692-6fc3-453a-89e9-1c4e71af274c\" style=\"display: contents;\">\n<section class=\"we-meter\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription meter\">\n<div class=\"we-grid\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Stay informed.<span>Stay ahead.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-copy\">                  Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most.       <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"we-actions\">       <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\/\">         <span>See Options<\/span>         <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>       <\/a>       <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? 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<a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/print-subscription-check\">Click here to login\/register your account<\/a> <\/div>\n<section class=\"we-inline-barrier\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription offer\">\n<div class=\"we-inner\">\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Trusted reporting.<span>Unlimited access.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-deck\">              Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis,       and subscriber-only journalism.     <\/p>\n<p>     <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\">       <span>Get Unlimited Access<\/span>       <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>     <\/a>     <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? <a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\">Log in<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"we-cancel\">Cancel anytime.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<p><script> (window._matherq = window._matherq || []).push([   'paywallEvent',   {     type: 'paywall',     category: 'block',     action: 'stop',     wall_type: 'paywall'   } ]); <\/script>     <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">York was referring to comments el Sayed made on his podcast, <em>America Dissected<\/em>, in September 2021.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c9\/11 scarred our country in profound ways, but what we did after 9\/11 scarred millions of other people,\u201d el Sayed said at the time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNow you can have, as I do, a lot of questions about the way we, the United States, went about retaliation for 9\/11,\u201d York said. \u201cOf course, you know, some of the objections might be that we weren\u2019t, you know, tough enough, but the idea of equating these two things is absolutely outrageous.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/V10cNBEvZLw?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">El Sayed is running in a highly competitive Senate race in Michigan against Republican Mike Rogers. Throughout his campaign, el Sayed has addressed numerous issues, including the \u201cunpaid debts\u201d to black communities, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.c-span.org\/program\/campaign-2026\/us-senate-candidate-abdul-el-sayed-d-mi-speaks-with-faith-leaders\/685127#&#038;_intcmp=fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3\">according to C-Span<\/a>. York said reparations for slavery were paid by the hundreds of thousands who fought in the American Civil War.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo, I just think that\u2019s ridiculous,\u201d York said. \u201cAnd also, there\u2019s no political consensus on some sort of payment, some sort of reparations payment, much less a way of figuring out who gets it and who doesn\u2019t get it. So, it\u2019s a talking point in some progressive circles, but nothing else, nothing more.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4746663\/abdul-el-sayed-maha-campaign-pitch-targeting-food-chemicals\/\"><strong>EL SAYED SPEAKS MAHA\u2019S LANGUAGE IN CAMPAIGN PITCH TARGETING CHEMICALS IN FOOD<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">El Sayed was questioned on receiving contributions from the Council on American-Islamic Relations. He said the criticism stemmed from his skin color and how he prays. The CAIR <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4678469\/el-sayed-father-in-law-leadership-islamic-organizations-terrorism-case\/\">originated out of the Islamic Association for Palestine,<\/a> a group that was founded by a future Hamas leader. While not designated a terrorist organization in the U.S., it was named as a conspirator in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4678469\/el-sayed-father-in-law-leadership-islamic-organizations-terrorism-case\/\">financial terrorism investigation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMany people are concerned about terrorism and the advocacy of terrorism and people who are adjacent to terrorism promoting terrorism,\u201d York said. \u201cSo I mean, that\u2019s what that\u2019s about and, of course, the quick and easy way to try to deflect that is to say, \u2018You\u2019re trying to make this about the color of my skin.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Byron York criticizes Abdul el Sayed\u2019s 9\/11 response comparison<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4395,"featured_media":2673171,"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\/09\/GettyImages-2291624030.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[77374,37928,14281,64825,5894],"class_list":["post-2673170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-abdul-el-sayed","tag-byron-york","tag-controversies","tag-deflection-2","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2291624030.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2673170","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\/4395"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2673170"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2673170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2673174,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2673170\/revisions\/2673174"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2673171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2673170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2673170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2673170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}