Boehner calls Bachmann accusations 'pretty dangerous'
(CNN) – Republican House Speaker John Boehner called dangerous Thursday a request from members of his own party in Congress to investigate Muslim infiltration in the U.S. government.
Admitting he had not read a letter requesting the investigation, Boehner said "I think accusations like this being thrown around are pretty dangerous."
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, along with four other Republican members of Congress, formally requested in June that various federal agencies investigate whether the American government has been infiltrated by Muslim extremists.
Among the issues they raise is a claim that long-time aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin, has three family members connected to the Muslim Brotherhood, and is at risk of being influenced by her family members. The members of Congress want to know how she holds a high level security clearance.
On Thursday, Boehner said he did not know Abedin, but that "everything I do know of her she has a sterling character."
Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain made a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday criticizing the call for an investigation and defending Abedin.
"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," McCain said.
"When anyone, not least a member of Congress, launches specious and degrading attacks against fellow Americans on the basis of nothing more than fear of who they are and ignorance of what they stand for, it defames the spirit of our nation, and we all grow poorer because of it," he added.
State Department spokesman Phillipe Reines called the accusations "nothing but vicious and disgusting lies," in a statement to CNN.
Bachmann, who refused to answer questions from CNN about the letter on Wednesday, said in a statement that her and her colleagues' request was being "distorted."
"I encourage everyone, including media outlets, to read them in their entirety," Bachmann wrote. "The intention of the letters was to outline the serious national security concerns I had and ask for answers to questions regarding the Muslim Brotherhood and other radical group's access to top Obama administration officials."
CNN's Kate Bolduan contributed to this report.
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It is up to Boehner to read the letter and then forcibly put this delusional lunatic and her co-conspirators in their place, censure them publicly and then force them to resign. THEY are the enemy of the state.
Are you now,or have you ever been....
The most frightening thing of Bachman is that she represents about 370,000 people and the majortiy think like this. God help us all.
I think the real investigation should be the infiltration of Christian fanatics intent on destroying our country with bent versions of the bible. These folks are the biggest danger to our country.
When her former campaign manager says "I am fully aware that she sometimes has difficulty with her facts", it is time for the voters to show her the door. Sadly, I expect they will re-elect her instead, as they have done before.
What's next – witch trials? I've got an idea, let's investigate where in congress these classified leaks are coming from instead of manufacturing hate and paranoia?
Personally, in my view, the "Whole Republican Congress and Republican Party" are dangerous!!!
Is that a mask she's wearing?
Her infatuation and affiliation with Israel clouds her reason.
I now reside in MN and am more than embarassed by this woman. SHE NEEDS TO BE DEFEATED IN NOVEMBER. This election, like 4 years ago, is already erroding. Both sides, GROW UP and have an adult conversation.
This happens when you suddenly irrelevant.
truly scary accusations. This republican party is absolutely insane. Although i am voting democrat
this year I really do feel badly for those like McCain who are still somewhat moderate. It is truly sad
what they are facing within their own party. And for me as a voter it is a major turn-off to witness
this in my own country almost daily from a republican party that is just becoming out of touch and
out of control.
Both Bachmann, and that other woman (Palin) are two scary women that's for sure; real scary.
Mr Romney now you can pick her as your VP.!
She is a really scary individual..with looks to match...
Just when we were getting over the crazy lady from Alaska, this one steps in to take her place. And you wonder why people don't trust the government? This woman needs medication.
Bachmann is only doing this to keep the fear in the older white population. This is one evil woman!
wow........... and this woman was considered for president by republican voters. we should always be wary of spies but not just muslims. we have intelligence agencies for this very purpose. we dont need michelle bachmann on the case.
She actually is an elected official.That's the scary part
Bachmann's behavior is dangerously un-American.
I belive that she is right on or at least so close that it should be checked out.
Sounds like the Republicans are circling the firing squads.
Wow! When you catch a Teapublican they claim that their words were distorted. I listened in to a tea party meeting in Arizona and they expressed their extreme paranoia of the media. And they all do it.
The Republicans hate The President more than they love America
I have heard that Evangelical Christians have infiltrated virtually every Latin American, African and Asian country! Some of them even encouraging their native converts to participate in local and national government, where they may be influencing their native national security policies! Really, Michelle Bachman? Have you noticed there are some real threats to our democracy, like the mind-bending imbalance in wealth and political influence of the very few? How about investigating the inflitration of the super-rich into the US government, and their self-serving and dangerous influence on public policy?