5 Democrats Boycott Senate Hearing on Muslim Brotherhood Network as Cruz Calls Empty Seats an Embarrassment
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 5
5 Democrats Boycott Senate Hearing on Muslim Brotherhood Network as Cruz Calls Empty Seats an Embarrassment
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 5
Summary
All 5 Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee skipped Wednesday’s hearing on the Muslim Brotherhood’s alleged U.S. network after announcing in advance they would not attend.
In a joint statement, the senators called the proceeding a “political creepshow” and said they would not legitimize what they described as scapegoating of Muslim Americans after recent violence targeting places of faith.
Ted Cruz opened the hearing by highlighting the empty seats, calling the boycott “an embarrassment” and accusing Democrats of refusing to confront terrorism-related evidence.
Richard Blumenthal said the hearing could become an anti-Muslim “show trial,” though he added he would still meet Muslim community members concerned about the Brotherhood, which he said appears to be a terrorist organization.
At the hearing, retired FBI agent Lara Burns said evidence about the alleged network had been public for decades and argued political discomfort should not deter scrutiny.