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| Dr. Marian Tadrous |
Loyalty Before Ideology: The Constitution Above All
By Dr. Marian Tadrous - Member of the United States Press Pass
Constitutional Commitment, Religious Freedom, and the Responsibilities of Public Officials in the United States
National security, religious freedom, and political representation have become increasingly important issues in American politics. Recent discussions surrounding the Muslim Brotherhood, the McCarran–Walter Act of 1952, and congressional elections raise a fundamental question: How can the United States protect its national security without compromising the constitutional rights of its citizens?
1. Constitutional Qualifications for Membership in Congress
The U.S. Constitution establishes specific qualifications for individuals seeking election to Congress:
| Office | Minimum Age | Minimum Period of U.S. Citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| House of Representatives | 25 years | 7 years |
| Senate | 30 years | 9 years |
Candidates must also be residents of the states they seek to represent.
These qualifications are established in Article I, Sections 2 and 3, of the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution does not establish religious affiliation or membership in a particular organization as additional general qualifications for congressional office.
The U.S. Supreme Court has also ruled that Congress cannot simply impose additional qualifications for membership beyond those specified in the Constitution.
2. The McCarran–Walter Act of 1952 and National Security
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, commonly known as the McCarran–Walter Act, was enacted during the Cold War to regulate immigration and address concerns involving foreign influence and national security.
This legislation remains an important foundation of U.S. immigration law, including provisions addressing foreign nationals associated with terrorist activities.
The administration of President Donald Trump has also relied on existing national security authorities to address certain branches of the Muslim Brotherhood.
On November 24, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14362, initiating procedures to consider designating certain branches of the organization as terrorist organizations. Subsequently, the states of Texas and Florida took measures targeting organizations associated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
First: The State of Texas
On November 18, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the designation of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as entities he characterized as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations.
The measures included:
Prohibiting the two organizations and their affiliated entities from purchasing or owning land in Texas.
Directing law enforcement agencies to investigate their activities.
Taking legal and security-related measures under the authorities granted to the state.
Second: The State of Florida
On December 8, 2025, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order targeting CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood.
On July 1, 2026, Florida announced the implementation of a new legislative framework under HB 1471, allowing the state to designate certain organizations as terrorist organizations under state law and impose restrictions on funding, contracts, and public resources provided to them.
On January 13, 2026, the United States designated the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The Egyptian and Jordanian branches were designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).
Nevertheless, immigration legislation cannot independently establish new constitutional qualifications for elected office or impose a religious test for membership in Congress.
3. Congressional Elections and the Controversy Surrounding Abdul El-Sayed
On October 14, 2026, President Donald Trump was asked about allegations concerning political candidate Abdul El-Sayed's alleged connections to the Muslim Brotherhood in Michigan.
Trump expressed his belief that an individual affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood should not serve as a member of Congress.
Developments and expectations surrounding the November 4, 2026 elections renewed public debate about the relationship between national security, religious freedom, and political representation.
This controversy highlights an important distinction: constitutional eligibility to run for and hold elected office is governed by the U.S. Constitution.
4. The Constitution Above Every Ideology
The strength of American democracy rests on constitutional principles rather than religious or ideological uniformity.
The McCarran–Walter Act provides important authorities in the areas of immigration and national security. However, it cannot be used to impose additional religious or ideological qualifications for candidates seeking election to Congress.
The fundamental question is whether the U.S. Constitution should be amended to prevent individuals affiliated with terrorist organizations from running for leadership positions and public office in the United States, particularly following declarations by these organizations of their objectives to Islamize American society and impose Islamic Sharia law, which, according to this perspective, has demonstrated its failure across countries in the Islamic world.
True loyalty to America begins with loyalty to its Constitution. The Constitution must remain above personal ideologies, organizational allegiances, religious differences, and political ambitions.
5. Toward a Unified Federal Legislative Framework to Address Extremist Organizations and Organizational and Family Connections
A fundamental question remains: To what extent can the United States adopt a unified federal legislative approach to addressing groups whose connections to extremist or terrorist organizations, or involvement in supporting their activities, have been established through credible evidence?
Amid growing public debate over the use of religious ideologies in political life, and following actions taken by states such as Florida and Texas concerning organizations including the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), questions have emerged about the possibility of establishing a unified federal legal framework to halt their activities and prevent the expansion of radical Islam within American society.
Could the U.S. administration, in cooperation with Congress, enact federal legislation establishing stricter regulations on organizations proven to be involved in terrorism or providing material support for terrorist activities? Could such legislation prevent individuals personally involved in unlawful activities from exploiting political institutions or leadership positions to pursue objectives that conflict with American national security?
This discussion also extends to a more sensitive issue concerning the family and organizational connections of certain candidates and public officials to individuals affiliated with designated terrorist organizations. Should such connections be subject to security and legal scrutiny, particularly when candidates seek positions involving national security, intelligence, defense, and foreign policy?
Could legal mechanisms be established to verify whether actual organizational, financial, or operational coordination exists between a candidate and family members connected to these organizations, thereby ensuring the identification of potential conflicts of interest or security risks?
The challenge facing the United States today is how to protect national security and state institutions from the threats of extremism and terrorism, prevent unlawful activities from infiltrating positions of decision-making, and simultaneously safeguard constitutional rights, freedom of belief, and political participation.
Achieving this balance requires clear legislation, security screening procedures proportionate to the responsibilities of each position, independent judicial oversight, and accountability for anyone proven to be responsible for unlawful activities, while preserving the principle of equality before the law.
Loyalty to the Constitution is not merely an oath taken by public officials upon assuming office. It is a legal and moral commitment to protecting the institutions of the state, safeguarding national security, and respecting the rights of all citizens. The U.S. Constitution must remain the supreme governing authority for everyone—individuals, organizations, and public officials alike—without exception.
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