Michigan Senate candidates battle over their records on 9/11 at 25-year mark
Updated on: September 11, 2026 / 6:10 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Michigan Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers are clashing over issues related to the 9/11 attacks.
- El-Sayed criticized Rogers for voting against the James Zadroga Act, which provided aid to 9/11 survivors and first responders.
- Rogers defended his record, stating he advocated for annual appropriations for 9/11 victims and denying any lack of support.
- Republicans are linking El-Sayed to streamer Hasan Piker, who previously said "America deserved 9/11."
- El-Sayed has distanced himself from Piker's comments, calling them "dumb" and Piker has since apologized for his remarks.
- El-Sayed's own comments about the post-9/11 conflicts causing harm to others have been criticized by Republicans as extreme.
- El-Sayed supporters and Muslim advocacy groups have labeled the attacks against him as Islamophobic.
- GOP groups have run ads referencing 9/11 and Piker's comments, with significant ad spending planned in Michigan.
- El-Sayed expressed frustration with repetitive questions about Piker, urging media to focus on issues like healthcare and the economy.