Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers and Democratic opponent Abdul El-Sayed are trading criticism ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, with both sides leveraging the event for political messaging.
Rogers, who voted against 9/11 first responder benefits in Congress, now accuses El-Sayed of controversial remarks about the attacks. El-Sayed has denied claims that he said the U.S. "deserved" 9/11, though Rogers has repeatedly highlighted El-Sayed’s past association with a commentator who made such remarks. The dispute comes as Rogers prepares to address the 9/11 anniversary in a speech before the GOP convention.
El-Sayed’s campaign rejects Rogers’s allegations, stating that Rogers’s own voting record undermines his criticism. The Michigan Senate race is closely watched as a potential bellwether for control of Congress.
Rogers’s Criticism of El-Sayed’s 9/11 Remarks
Rogers, a former U.S. representative, has repeatedly targeted El-Sayed over his past interactions with Hasan Piker, a left-wing commentator who previously stated that America "deserved" the 9/11 attacks. Piker later walked back the comment, but Rogers has continued to tie El-Sayed to the remarks, citing their joint campaign events during the primary.
El-Sayed has not fully disavowed Piker, arguing that the focus should remain on policy rather than past associations. His campaign did not respond to requests for further comment on the matter.
Rogers’s Voting Record on 9/11 First Responder Benefits
Critics of Rogers have highlighted his two votes against legislation providing healthcare and benefits to 9/11 first responders and survivors. In 2010, Rogers opposed the James Zadroga Act, which allocated $5.1 billion to treat illnesses linked to toxic exposure at Ground Zero. The bill ultimately passed the House despite his opposition.
9/11 first responder John Feal, who lobbied for the legislation, recounted a conversation with Rogers during committee debate, stating that Rogers dismissed first responder health issues as a "New York problem" and questioned funding sources. Feal, who suffered injuries at Ground Zero, criticized Rogers’s stance as out of touch with the needs of responders.
Rogers has not publicly addressed Feal’s account. His campaign did not respond to requests for comment on his voting record or the allegations.
Political Context and Race Dynamics
The Michigan Senate race is considered highly competitive, with control of Congress potentially hinging on its outcome. Both candidates have sought to frame the 9/11 anniversary in ways that resonate with their respective bases.
El-Sayed, a former state health director, has emphasized policy solutions for first responders, while Rogers has focused on national security and counterterrorism in his campaign messaging. The clash over 9/11-related issues underscores the broader debate over how the attacks’ legacy should shape contemporary politics.