Speaker Boehner: Bachman accusations pretty dangerous

Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann, along with four other Republican members of Congress, formally requested in June for several federal agencies to investigate whether the American government has been infiltrated by Muslim extremists. One of the issues Bachmann and the four other Republicans raise is a claim that long-time aide to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin, has three family members connected to the Muslim Brotherhood, and is at risk of attaining influence from her family members. They question how she holds a high level security clearance.

Republican House Speaker John Boehner on Thursday called the request from his own party dangerous. Boehner said, “I think accusations like this being thrown around are pretty dangerous.” The House speaker said he did not know Abedin, but “everything I do know of her she has a sterling character.” Senator John McCain, R-Arizona, made a speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday defending Abedin and condemning the investigation. He said, “These allegations about Huma, and the report from which they are drawn, are nothing less than an unwarranted and unfounded attack on an honorable woman, a dedicated American, and a loyal public servant.” Spokesman for the State Department, Phillipe Reines, called Bachmann’s accusations “nothing but vicious and disgusting lies.”