Michigan Democratic Senate front-runner Abdul El-Sayed has faced criticism for previous comments he made about defunding the police. In recent interviews, El-Sayed has insisted he never called for defunding the police, despite interviews from 2020 showing him repeatedly endorsing the movement.

El-Sayed’s Past Comments

In a 2020 radio interview, El-Sayed said, ‘We do need to defund the police,’ while discussing how the slogan could undermine criminal justice reform efforts. He also argued that investing in social services, public schools, and public libraries would be more effective in addressing systemic poverty.

El-Sayed’s comments came during the height of the defund movement’s popularity following George Floyd’s murder in May 2020. While the movement gained traction among progressives, it remained politically unpopular with the broader public.

El-Sayed’s Current Stance

El-Sayed’s campaign has since pointed to his public health experience working with local law enforcement in Wayne County, Michigan, and said his perspective has become more nuanced. He believes in improving law enforcement recruitment, retention, and retirement funding, as well as rejecting militarized policing and passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

El-Sayed will face US Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary on August 4, with the winner expected to face Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers in November.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.