A former Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member from Michigan, Jake Altman, has publicly criticised progressive Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed as dishonest and "sanctimonious", while warning that the American far-left has adopted the sectarian politics of foreign extremist movements. Altman, who left the DSA after it began absorbing hardline Marxist and Leninist factions around 2014-2015, argues the organisation has become vulnerable to extremist takeover and is urging voters across the political spectrum to reject sectarianism and support candidates focused on delivering for ordinary Americans. His comments highlight growing tension within the Democratic Party in Michigan, where moderates have struggled to rally behind El-Sayed's candidacy.

Altman, who previously worked for several labour unions, described personal encounters with El-Sayed, including a confrontation at April's Michigan Democratic Party endorsement convention where El-Sayed questioned Altman's criticism of his campaign. Altman accused El-Sayed of hypocrisy, noting he had disparaged a primary rival while presenting himself as above the fray. He also pointed to the DSA's August 2025 convention vote to lift its ban on Leninists as evidence the group has drifted from its more tolerant, pluralistic roots towards extremism, drawing a comparison to the sectarian politics associated with Hezbollah.