Capitol View: July 26, 2012 Archive

Religious, secular groups decry Bachmann's Muslim Brotherhood accusations

Posted at 1:43 PM on July 26, 2012 by Catharine Richert (2 Comments)
Filed under: Michele Bachmann, U.S. House

More than 40 religious and secular organizations say that Rep. Michele Bachmann's recent accusations that Muslim groups and a member of the Obama administration have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood "question the loyalty of faithful Americans based on nothing more than their religious affiliations."

The groups, which include the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, say that the evidence Bachmann and four other Republican colleagues put forth in a series of letters to various federal departments is tenuous. Their actions "have serious implications for religious freedom and the health of our democracy," the letter states.

"Those you accuse--including Ms. Huma Abedin and leaders of the Islamic Society of North America, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and Muslim Advocates--have long-standing histories of positive and committed work to strengthen the United States of America," the religious and secular groups wrote in their letter. "Furthermore, we take offense to the implications of your actions for the American Muslim community as a whole, as you give momentum to 'guilt by association' accusations and betray our foundational religious freedoms."

The letters Bachmann and her colleagues sent in June have been criticized by leading Republicans, including Sen. John McCain of Arizona and House Speaker John Boehner.

Bachmann has also linked 5th Congressional District Rep. Keith Ellison to the Muslim Brotherhood as well. Ellison, a Democrat, is a Muslim.

Read the entire letter here.