safety
‘We do need to defund the police’: 2020 interviews undermine Abdul El-Sayed’s claim he never advocated for unpopular movement
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 7, 2026
· 8 min read
By Andrew Kaczynski, Em Steck, CNN
(CNN) — Michigan Democratic Senate front-runner Abdul El-Sayed has faced criticism for previous comments he made about defunding the police. In recent interviews, El-Sayed has insisted he “never, never called for defunding” the police. Last week in an intervie...
Key takeaway “We do need to defund the police,” El-Sayed said in a 2020 radio interview while specifically discussing how the slogan could undermine criminal justice reform efforts.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The controversy surrounding Abdul El-Sayed's past comments on defunding the police has significant implications for El Paso 's own public safety discussions. As a community that has grappled with issues of policing and community trust, El Pasoans may be watching this development with interest. The idea of reinvesting funds from police departments into social services, mental health, and anti-poverty efforts is not new to El Paso, where community leaders have long advocated for a more holistic approach to public safety. El-Sayed's comments, and the backlash they have generated, may spark renewed debate about the role of policing in El Paso and the potential benefits of alternative approaches to community safety. As El Paso continues to navigate its own public safety challenges, the national conversation around defunding the police is likely to have local resonance, with potential implications for city government and community policing initiatives.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 8 min
Get more The El Paso stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Andrew Kaczynski, Em Steck, CNN
(CNN) — Michigan Democratic Senate front-runner Abdul El-Sayed has faced criticism for previous comments he made about defunding the police. In recent interviews, El-Sayed has insisted he “never, never called for defunding” the police. Last week in an intervie...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter