Earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and four other Republican lawmakers sent letters to a handful of federal agencies, urging officials to investigate the influence of the Muslim extremists on American foreign policy. Their letter, sent to the State Department, specifically mentioned Huma Abedin,  the deputy chief of staff to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, claiming she has three family members who are connected to an Islamist political movement, the “Muslim Brotherhood.”  Prominent Republicans in Congress, such as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, rightly denounced the remarks. After drawing criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, Bachmann made additional statements on conservative talk radio host Glenn Beck’s show, claiming that U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., has associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Ellison, who received his law degree from the University of Minnesota, represents University-area residents in the state’s 5th Congressional district. He denied the claims, saying, “I am not now, nor have I ever been, associated with the Muslim Brotherhood.”

Bachmann, who is currently in a tight race for re-election against opponent Jim Graves, has since failed to provide any substantial evidence that links Ellison to the Muslim Brotherhood. While the congresswoman’s statements may have brought an increase in campaign donations from her wide network of national supporters, they are offensive to not only Ellison but to the people he serves in the 5th District and represents in the United States Congress. She should apologize for her false statements made against her colleague in the House of Representatives.