Battleground Dem Suggests Terrorists Act From 'Pain and Frustration'

Candidate accuses Americans of being 'high and mighty' in views on global conflict

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:24pm

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A fractured, abstract painting of a politician at a podium, repeated in overlapping geometric shapes in muted tones of blue, grey, and red, conveying a sense of political tension and division.El-Sayed's controversial comments on understanding terrorists' 'pain' could become a flashpoint in the Michigan Senate race.South Haven Today

Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan, said the U.S. should try to understand why terrorists commit 'heinous acts,' suggesting their actions stem from 'pain and frustration and a level of lack of agency.' El-Sayed said the U.S. should respond to terrorism with 'empathy' and accused Americans of being 'high and mighty' in their views on global conflict.

Why it matters

El-Sayed's comments on terrorism and U.S. foreign policy could become a key issue in the 2026 Michigan Senate race, as he faces competition from more moderate Democrats. His views on understanding the 'pain' of terrorists and criticizing American 'hypocrisy' are likely to draw scrutiny from political opponents and some voters.

The details

At a July 2025 town hall in South Haven, Michigan, a constituent asked El-Sayed how he would address terrorism if elected to the Senate. El-Sayed said the U.S. military approach is 'necessary,' but leaders must also try to 'understand' what drives terrorists. He suggested terrorists act out of 'pain and frustration' and a 'lack of agency,' and accused the U.S. of being hypocritical in its 'rules-based international order.' El-Sayed said the U.S. should respond to terror with 'empathy' and not ways that 'inflame tensions.'

  • In July 2025, El-Sayed held a town hall in South Haven, Michigan where he made the comments.

The players

Abdul El-Sayed

A Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan who is running on a platform that includes Medicare for All and free education. He has been critical of Israel and its actions during the Gaza War.

Hayley Stevens

A Democratic Congresswoman from Michigan who is also running for the open Senate seat.

Mallory McMarrow

A Democratic state Senator in Michigan who is also running for the open Senate seat.

Mike Rogers

The Republican Senate candidate in Michigan.

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What they’re saying

“'I also think we need to be curious about why those things happen in the first place, like, [what] drives somebody to want to commit such a heinous act. I have to be a student of people's pain. Like, that's, that's what I did in medicine. That's what I try to do in politics, like, what, what happens when people are in pain?'”

— Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic Senate Candidate

“'There is a level of pain and frustration and a level of lack of agency that they have to feel to do something so insane and absurd, right?'”

— Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic Senate Candidate

“'And I think too often, the way we've engaged in the world has been that we set up this rules based international order, and then we break the rules of the rules based international order. And that creates a situation where there are a lot of people who look at us and say, that's hypocritical, and that's wrong.'”

— Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic Senate Candidate

The takeaway

El-Sayed's comments on understanding the 'pain' of terrorists and criticizing American 'hypocrisy' in foreign policy could become a major issue in the 2026 Michigan Senate race, as he faces more moderate Democratic opponents and potential attacks from Republicans.