Moreno Argues Muslim Senator Should Stay Away From Washington

Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno told a crowd in Ohio on Wednesday that Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed should be nowhere near Washington, D.C., because of his religion.

The Republican Senator said the Michigan candidate does not understand that rights come from God and that Jesus came for salvation. He argued that El-Sayed’s presence in the capital is incompatible with the nation's Christian heritage. "He should be nowhere near Washington, D.C.," Moreno said at the rally.

This statement marks an escalation in the Michigan Senate race, which takes place on Tuesday. The contest pits El-Sayed, a Muslim physician, against Republican nominee Mike Rogers. The race is a key determinant for the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. While Rogers has focused on El-Sayed’s political affiliations, Moreno’s comments directly target the candidate’s faith.

President Donald Trump has also amplified the religious theme. He has referred to El-Sayed as a "jihadist" and suggested the Senate would require metal detectors for him. Trump also misspelled the candidate's name as "Abdul Ramadan." On Thursday, the President said that Black or Jewish voters who support El-Sayed are crazy, reinforcing the idea that minorities view politics through a single theological lens.

Constitutional scholars point to Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, which states that no religious test shall ever be required for public office. Corey Brettschneider, a professor at Brown University, described the current rhetoric as a religious test for office. He noted that the founders, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, designed the government to reject theocracy. The First Amendment further prohibits Congress from making laws respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise.

Critics of the rhetoric note that Moreno himself is a naturalized citizen from Colombia. El-Sayed has been questioned about his ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Egyptian Islamist group. He disavowed the organization, noting his mother was active in it in the 1970s. El-Sayed wrote a 2011 article arguing the Brotherhood could be a positive force in Egypt, a view that formed during the Arab Spring uprisings.

In a town hall earlier this month, El-Sayed pushed back against assumptions about his loyalties. He told a questioner that his allegiance is to the Constitution, which he calls his guiding light. The debate occurs against the backdrop of tensions over U.S. policy toward Israel following the October 7, 2023 attacks. A CNN/SSRS poll released Thursday shows El-Sayed leading Rogers 49 percent to 42 percent among likely voters.

Michigan voters will cast their ballots on Tuesday. The outcome will determine whether El-Sayed secures a Senate seat and whether Democrats maintain control of the chamber. The campaign has centered on questions of religious diversity and the definition of American identity.