Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and former Wayne County health director, issued a candid assessment of global terrorism, arguing that national responses must be tempered by deep empathy and a thorough understanding of human suffering. Speaking during a town hall in South Haven, Michigan, El-Sayed suggested that the violent acts committed by terrorist groups are not random acts of malice, but rather symptoms of profound psychological and socio-economic distress. According to him, these ‘heinous acts’ are fundamentally rooted in ‘pain and frustration’ coupled with a perceptible ‘lack of agency.’
El-Sayed, who is currently vying for the open Senate seat in Michigan’s upcoming 2026 midterms, has established a platform built on progressive ideals, advocating for initiatives such as Medicare for All and free education. Furthermore, his political stance has been marked by sharp criticisms of Israel’s actions in the region, having previously accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians during the Gaza War. This background significantly colors his perspective on international conflict and the response to terrorism.
When pressed on how he would address the issue of terrorism if elected, El-Sayed acknowledged the necessity of the U.S. military’s current approach, but he forcefully argued that this physical might cannot be the sole pillar of American policy. Instead, he emphasized the need for American leaders to become ‘students of people’s pain.’ He elaborated that simply labeling these acts as criminal oversimplifies the complex emotional landscape of the perpetrators. By focusing education on the pain points of people, akin to his work in medicine, he hopes to shift the political discourse toward deeper empathetic understanding.
He defined terrorism not simply as violence, but specifically as ‘political violence committed in pursuit of a political end.’ Drawing on his medical background, he articulated that the sheer desperation and feeling of diminished control—the ‘lack of agency’—are what drive individuals to commit such seemingly ‘insane and absurd’ acts. He connected this insight to criticizing perceived hypocrisy in global power structures. He lamented the perceived pattern where the U.S. establishes a ‘rules based international order,’ only to repeatedly break those very rules. This perceived double standard, he argued, is a primary source of international resentment and fuels the anti-American sentiment that global adversaries exploit.
Therefore, El-Sayed advocated for a significant strategic shift in U.S. diplomatic and political engagement. He cautioned against responses that merely ‘inflame tensions,’ arguing that the nation must replace its standard approach with ‘strength in wisdom’ and ‘strength in empathy.’ He concluded by accusing contemporary American political discourse of being ‘high and mighty,’ suggesting that a return to empathy and consistency is necessary for America to genuinely connect with and understand those who oppose it globally. Amidst his campaign efforts, he faces notable competition within the Democratic primary field, alongside candidates like Rep. Hayley Stevens and Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMarrow.