If Ellison was actually concerned about perceptions of Muslims in America, he would be all for these hearings, but we all know that’s not his intention.

I think we’re having these hearings because it’s a well-tried right-wing tactic to try to create hysteria, fear, and division among Americans when the fortunes of an election are at stake. I mean, don’t forget Willie Horton — we’ve been here before. Don’t forget the whole welfare queens — we’ve been here before. Unfortunately, Peter King wants to pick on a religious minority, wants to raise issues of loyalty, things like that, and this is incredibly divisive. . . .