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July 19th, 2012
10:59 PM ET

KTH: Bachmann sticking by Islamic infiltration claims

Michele Bachmann expands her unproven allegations that the U.S. government is being infiltrated and subverted by radical jihadists, members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

While Bachmann has received public scoldings from a number of noteworthy Republicans, she continues to point to Huma Abedin, Hillary Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, as a potential threat.

Although Bachmann refused to speak with CNN’s Dana Bash about her allegations, she did speak on Glenn Beck’s program. “If the state department breaks American law to bring a terrorist in to the white house,” she tells Beck, “it certainly is conceivable that maybe they looked the other way issuing this security clearance, that’s all we’re doing is asking a question.”

Bachmann continues to allege that not only was Abedin’s late father a part of the Muslim Brotherhood, but also that Abedin’s brother and mother are affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood and Muslim Sisterhood.

“If my family members were associated with Hamas, a terrorist organization, that alone could be sufficient to disqualify me from getting a security clearance – so all we did was ask did the federal government look into her family associations?” Bachmann says to Beck.

soundoff (27 Responses)
  1. John

    The piece on the Bachmann group merely asking for further investigation, was a real echo chamber, AC, Dana and Mr. Esposito all pushing the same talking points. At one point Esposito says of his students if they make an assertion they have to back it up then proceeds to claim Abedin has been vetted, but that is all most Americans would like to see, along with more generally why Obama administration policy is so pro MB suddenly without open explanation. AC, if you want open dialogue on this issue why not get Frank Gaffney or someone similar? Maybe a chicken factor? The group of 5 want an investigation and rightly don't currently want to talk in media.

    July 30, 2012 at 9:22 pm |
  2. Christopher

    If we're going to start a conversation about "religious extremists" let's flip the coin to the other side...

    This seems like a classic case of projection. Accuse others of what you are secretly doing.

    While all of this ridiculous fervor is going on, not one person is asking about what "The Family" of C-street are doing. Religious extremists ACTUALLY infiltrating our government with their own agenda. We let it go because they're Christians, but it's that same thing! It's either Sharia Law or Christian theocracy.

    We've all been well versed about Michele Bachmann and where she stands on religion. I'm sure the same can be said for the four others calling for this "investigation". (It's a witch-hunt plan and simple)

    So, if we really want to bring back the spirit of Joe McCarthy, let's at least remember where this kind of rhetoric got us the first time and not make the same mistakes and be brave enough to ask ALL of the questions this time around.

    July 30, 2012 at 8:53 pm |
  3. Joan Jobsis

    Bachmann and her fellow legislators are reviving Mcarthy tactics (a dark passage in our Country's history). I would hope our citizens could learn from history and not follow the hysteria of unfounded fears and accusations.

    July 30, 2012 at 8:32 pm |
  4. Keith

    Five congressmen raised concerns yet Bachman gets all of the heat. Call it islamophoba if you like. But the Muslim Brotherhood, considering what has come out of the "Arab Spring" has earned some scrutiny – scrutiny it likely won't get. Throw Bachman under the bus but keep some sanity in the security clearance process.

    July 29, 2012 at 7:00 pm |
  5. Diane Anderson

    Bachmann is a modern day Joe Mc Carthy and as such should be denounced on the floor of The House. She spews
    hate and lunacy. How does this woman keep getting re-elected?

    July 23, 2012 at 9:22 pm |
  6. don ford

    On MB's next rant you might remind her that "free radicals" are Not Islamic terrorists, but you might have to explain it to her for her to understand the "Bazinga" moment.

    July 23, 2012 at 4:20 pm |
  7. roberta saunders

    Bachmann and others have simply raised questions that should be raised in security clearance and policy related matters. The Brotherhood clearly is no friend of the USA, and clearly is a friend of HAMAS. To not proceed carefully with such a group is foolish.

    July 23, 2012 at 3:53 pm |
  8. John Lieb

    of course its McCarthyism. She represents the worst of America

    July 23, 2012 at 9:15 am |
  9. Louis

    Anyone who has ever gone through the process of obtaining a security clearance knows Bachmann is telling the truth. The application from the Department of Homeland Security does include a questionnaire that asks if you or any of your relatives are or have ever been affiliated with terrorists groups. It is not a discrimination issue: It is a security issue.

    Bachmann and her contemporaries are not accusing Adedin of any acts of treason, attacking her religious beliefs, or claiming the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated our government. They have simply questioned the legitimacy of her security clearance and, hopefully, initiated a thorough investigation by the proper authorities.

    July 23, 2012 at 1:19 am |
    • Anna

      Yes, the five congress people are claiming that the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated the American government. This was the purpose of their claim–to show how this organization had made its way into the goverment. She is NOT simply questioning security clearance procedures!

      July 23, 2012 at 11:43 pm |
  10. Brehon21

    Michele Bachmann is a Citizen of Switzerland. When this fact was revealed in the press she stated that she "denounced" her Swiss Citizenship recently, but has provided no documentation to support that claim. At the same time that MItt Romney is going on his foreign tour to get closer to his Swiss, Bahama and Cayman Bank accounts, it turns out the "report" by an individual named Frank Gaffney, who Frau Bachmann cites as her "authority" with on her little project revealed that Grover Norquist is in associate and a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood in America.

    For more information, please consult Frank Gaffney's 10-part course on the Muslim Brotherhood in America.

    Yes, this is the same Herr Norquist who is the "Leader" and enforcer behind the "Norquist Oath" requiring American Republican Politicians to take an Oath beyond their American Oath under the Constitution, an Oath composed by Grover Norquist and his fellow travelers. The punishment for deviation from the "Norquist Oath" is vilification and the use of funds from non-disclosed corporate and right-wing po0litical sources to defeat any who fail to keep the "Norquist Oath" and thereby keep the already compliant majority of Republican office holders in line.

    This is not a tactic that originated in America. NO documentation regarding Grover Norquist's citizenship has been produced. For once, in relation to this Grover Norquist and his support and involvement in the Muslim Brotherhood, Swiss Citizen Bachmann may have accidentally done America a service. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day!

    July 23, 2012 at 12:16 am |
  11. Susan R

    Michelle Bachman is an embarrassment to the state of Minnesota. She is known for her unsubstantiated statements and theories. I'm pleased to see Republicans actually speaking out against her, but fear that again this November she'll be reelected. Where she gathers up enough state birds to put her back in office each time is mind-boggling and at the same time disturbing.

    July 22, 2012 at 12:54 am |
  12. Todd

    Nothing surprises me anymore in American politics. Must just be a coincidence that Bachman is going on this witch hunt so close to the election (and Birthers are ramping up their conspiracy once again). There is no shame for some of the far right who will do ANYTHING to "win." As they say, if you tell a lie long enough and frequent enough people start to believe it especially the stupid ones.

    Our country is being ripped apart by people who foment fear and distrust. Why? Because who wants to buy a book or listen to a speech that doesn't paint one group as right, just, morally superior, and another as evil, loathsome and hell bent on destroying America? It sells and these people are cashing checks because of the hatred and fear they create. I'd like to think that cooler heads will prevail but I have serious doubts. The American people are getting dumber, education has been de-emphasized and budgets slashed, and I'm afraid that once this ugly, hate filled ignorant genie has left the bottle she ain't going back. I would like to see thoughtful, rationale Republicans stand up to this intolerance, hate and ignorance but they don't want to piss off a politically well organized and ruthless segment of their party.

    It comes down to doing the right thing for the country and standing up for what you know is right but may cost you an election, versus being silent or offering a weak rebuke knowing that doing so hurts the country but helps you politically.

    July 21, 2012 at 1:29 pm |
  13. drewsco

    Mrs. Bachmann know exactly what she is doing. She is trying to appeal to the anti-Muslim extremists in her base. Her constituency base consists of mostly Anglo-Saxon voters who sympathize with what she is doing. This is the worst kind of political pandering. It's simply un-American.

    July 21, 2012 at 11:38 am |
  14. Samir

    I think you got it right by saying if bachmenn tought for a second that what she is saying is real why go on radio and tell it like you knew about 9/11 and than going on tv and saying its going to happen, there is nothing els to say after just that if your bachmenn fear= money and thats the name of the game because money = speech

    July 20, 2012 at 7:31 pm |
  15. Bibb

    I believe that Bachman should be completely investigated to determine if she has a brain and serious emotional problems. Can you imagine that she wanted to be President..scary!

    July 20, 2012 at 1:12 pm |
  16. chuck

    I think I speak for many republicans when I say – Bachmann get off my side.

    July 20, 2012 at 12:24 pm |
  17. Ashamed_In_MN

    I am ashamed to be in this crazy persons district. I cannot understand how she gets elected. It's like this wacko is totally off her meds. She needs to go (to the asylum, permanently).

    July 20, 2012 at 10:11 am |
  18. Whose definiion

    "Keeping them honest." Which definition of honesty (American Judeo-Christian or Muslim) are were using to describe 'keeping them honest."? The infiltration of the Muslim Brotherhood is fairly obvious, especially that incident in Tennessee with the erection of the Mosque. When a civil servant's decision is undone by an official of a higher office, that makes it really clear that the Muslim lifestyle institutions are infiltrating in America. I really don't want to take time away from my work day to bow to the east.

    July 20, 2012 at 9:47 am |
  19. bill smith

    Bachmann has gone off the deep end crazy....she is a danger.....and those four yahoos who are pictured with her are low level congressmen who are looking for a leg up.....notice too....like the Republican party all of the are white. most likely tea party affiliated.....just more of the same craziness that has now taken over the Republican party

    July 20, 2012 at 9:39 am |
  20. Name*John E.

    The NSA needs to check if Rep. BACHMAN has a navel.

    July 20, 2012 at 4:26 am |
  21. Brenda Dunn

    I believe that Michele Backman should be sued for deformation of charactor and be recalled from any position she holds. She is so unamerican herself. This is not what Americans are. We are a loving people who welcome all people no matter race, creed, color, etc.

    July 20, 2012 at 4:20 am |
    • Lila Lange

      Why hasn't she been charged with defamation of character? She has no facts to back up her claims. Freedom of speech has limits.

      July 21, 2012 at 9:53 am |
  22. Nan Davis

    Bachmann suggestions smack of McCarthyism!!

    July 20, 2012 at 1:12 am |
    • Louise

      Bachmann's comments don't "smack of McCarthyism" they are the EPITOME of the muckraking, lying, cowardly method that plunged our country into fear driven craziness when I was a kid. Been there, done that, this has got to be stopped NOW!

      July 21, 2012 at 2:47 pm |
    • John

      McCarthy lives on in this extremists Republican Party. The Party of No.( No middle class, No Health care, No to any legislative compromises)

      July 23, 2012 at 6:26 am |
    • Bill

      Right on Nan!

      July 23, 2012 at 4:43 pm |