Public disputes concerning the 2026 U.S. midterm election cycle, including campaigns, candidates, conventions, advertising, endorsements, and election-related policy promises.
After an armed assailant attacked Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed condemned the attack and antisemitism but connected the assailant's actions to an Israeli airstrike that killed members of his family, describing violence as a cycle. Critics said the framing rationalized an antisemitic terrorist attack or shifted responsibility toward Israel and Jews. El-Sayed denied justifying the attack and later apologized for introducing context when the victims needed an unqualified condemnation.
Role at the time: Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Georgia
Mixed or conditional
Responding to
Did Mike Collins support compensation for January 6 defendants?
"“A lot of things have been politicized and weaponized. And when the federal government harms you, then yes, they have a liability to you. That’s easy, yes sir.”"
Why we used this label
Collins’s answer is conditional on government harm and responds to a question broader than January 6 defendants, but the question was posed by a pardoned January 6 defendant who explicitly included January 6 participants.
Role at the time: U.S. Senate candidate in Michigan
Challenged the characterization
Responding to
The Temple Israel attack should be understood in part through the cycle of violence created by the regional war and the Israeli airstrike that killed members of the assailant's family.
"It was a risk."
Why we used this label
He maintained the decision to provide causal context rather than accepting critics' characterization of the statement as excusing terrorism.
Travis Akers is an American educator, retired U.S. Navy intelligence officer, and advocate for military families. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, he writes and speaks about veterans' affairs, public education, gun safety, and politics.
Mike Collins is a Republican U.S. representative from Georgia's 10th Congressional District and the Republican nominee for the 2026 United States Senate election in Georgia.
