Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, accused former President Donald Trump of inciting terrorism in a 2020 interview, referencing a foiled plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The plot involved a group of men associated with anti-government and militia circles, including the Wolverine Watchmen, who allegedly planned to abduct Whitmer from her vacation home in northern Michigan to end her COVID-19 restrictions.

El-Sayed stated, "These are terrorists; we have to call them that. We have to recognize that that is what the face of terrorism looks like right now. We have to step up against it." He also questioned the radicalization of such individuals, suggesting the influence of extremist rhetoric, saying, "We gotta ask: why are these people getting radicalized? Well, there must be some radical, extremist cleric out there who may be tweeting up a storm about all the things that they think need to be done, like liberating Michigan."

Although President Trump did not explicitly call for violence against Whitmer, El-Sayed pointed to a tweet Trump made six months before the plot was uncovered, suggesting partial responsibility. El-Sayed described the posts as emblematic of a cultural toxicity that increased the likelihood of violence.

Notably, The New York Times reported that four of the 12 people charged in the alleged plot were government agents or informants, leading to accusations of entrapment. The plot originated before Trump's tweet, according to FBI comments to local media.

El-Sayed's remarks come as he competes in a tight primary race for the Michigan Senate seat. His comments have raised questions about the role of political rhetoric in inciting violence.

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