Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is under scrutiny for past comments on defunding the police. During a CNN interview, El-Sayed focused on advocating for increased investments in libraries and social services instead of addressing the defunding terminology directly.

A clip from the interview has stirred reactions from personalities including Harris Faulkner and Lara Trump, criticizing El-Sayed’s response.

Speaking at a rally in Grand Rapids, El-Sayed humorously compared his experiences on CNN to undergoing a “non-consensual colonoscopy”. He expressed frustration with questions about international matters, arguing that resources spent abroad could benefit domestic projects.

On CNN’s “State of the Union,” anchor Jake Tapper questioned El-Sayed about leaked audio regarding his reluctance to comment on the killing of Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. El-Sayed explained he avoided comment due to what he called a “ridiculous pretext,” and shifted the focus to U.S. servicemembers killed by Iranian strikes in Jordan.

El-Sayed emphasized his campaign’s Michigan focus, urging local spending and expressing regret over past wars. Tapper pressed him on earlier remarks about not offending constituents in Dearborn, Michigan.

Earlier exchanges with CNN’s Kasie Hunt continued the controversy, with El-Sayed defending deleted social media posts supporting police defunding and accusing CNN of pursuing “clickbait” rather than substantive issues.

With endorsements from progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, El-Sayed’s campaign faces a competitive primary against Michigan Representative Haley Stevens. Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez supported El-Sayed at a recent rally.