An FBI rapid-response account posted a video on October 6, 2026 attacking “The DEFUND THE POLICE crowd” that labeled Michigan's Democratic Senate nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, “Progressive Democrat, Senate Nominee” alongside other Democrats. “They sold slogans. We delivered handcuffs. CRIMINALS FEAR RESULTS, NOT HASHTAGS,” the post said, The Hill reported. The FBI later removed the video, MS NOW reported.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, which enforces the Hatch Act's limits on political activity by federal employees. “The video's explicit identification of Mr. El-Sayed, one of several current candidates within it, as 'Progressive Democrat, Senate Nominee' is a clear invocation of the upcoming election,” the group wrote. Delaney Marsco, director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, said, “It shouldn't shock anyone that this is not compliant with the Hatch Act.” The FBI did not explain the removal. The video came shortly after FBI Director Kash Patel suggested on Fox News how viewers should vote in the midterms.