Michigan Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens has asked the U.S. Marshals Service for protection after reportedly receiving death threats linked to her decision to endorse Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers. The request comes as political tensions rise in Michigan during the final days of a closely watched midterm election campaign.
Two senior officials in President Donald Trump’s administration confirmed that Stevens had contacted federal authorities. According to the officials, the congresswoman reported receiving threats against her life and requested help from the Marshals Service.
One official said Stevens had reached out to the agency after receiving death threats. The official added that her request would need to pass through the usual approval process. However, the administration expects the request to be granted because she is a sitting member of Congress.
The reported threats came after Stevens made an unexpected political move on Sunday. She announced her support for Rogers, a Republican candidate competing against Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Senate race.
Her decision quickly became a major issue in the final stage of the election campaign. Stevens had previously competed against El-Sayed in the Democratic primary but lost to him in August. Her decision to support his Republican opponent created fresh divisions within the Democratic Party.
The endorsement also brought criticism from Democrats. Several members of Stevens’ senior staff resigned after she announced her support for Rogers. The move surprised party members who had expected her to stand behind the Democratic nominee despite their disagreements.
The conflict between Stevens and El-Sayed had developed during the primary campaign. Their main disagreements involved Israel, political messaging and El-Sayed’s connections with progressive online personalities.
Stevens has strongly supported Israel and raised concerns about El-Sayed’s relationship with progressive streamer Hasan Piker. She also criticized an advertisement produced by a political action committee linked to Piker’s uncle, Cenk Uygur.
The advertisement blamed Israel for rising grocery prices in the United States. Stevens objected to the message and questioned El-Sayed’s response to the controversy.
El-Sayed later rejected the advertisement and distanced himself from its claims. However, Stevens said his response did not do enough to address her concerns. She also said she believed he did not want her involvement in his campaign.
The disagreement became more serious when Stevens was informed that she was no longer welcome at El-Sayed’s campaign events. The dispute further damaged their relationship and made her future role in the Democratic campaign uncertain.
On Sunday, Stevens appeared with Rogers during a church service before announcing her endorsement. Her public support for the Republican candidate marked a major change in the race and attracted attention from both parties.
Stevens could not be reached for comment on Tuesday about her request for protection or the reported threats.
The security concerns have emerged during a tense period in Michigan. Several other incidents involving political activists, religious tensions and threats against public figures have also drawn attention.
On Monday, reports said a former El-Sayed campaign worker was among several anti-Zionist activists facing federal charges. The group was accused of threatening and intimidating members of Michigan’s Jewish community. The allegations have added to the debate over political activism and public safety.
Another incident occurred on Sunday at a University of Michigan event. A conservative Jewish activist was reportedly attacked by a progressive activist during a gathering where organizers were criticizing Islam.
On Friday, federal officials also announced the arrest of a Michigan man accused of threatening FBI Director Kash Patel. The case added to wider concerns about threats directed at government officials.
Stevens has also described a separate confrontation with an anti-Zionist activist. She accused the individual of trying to intimidate her because of her support for Israel.
These events have increased attention on the political divisions surrounding Michigan’s Senate race. The dispute between Stevens and El-Sayed reflects wider disagreements within the Democratic Party over Israel, progressive activism and campaign strategy.
The request for federal protection now places Stevens’ personal security at the center of the political story. Her endorsement of Rogers has already caused a major break with several Democratic allies. The reported threats have added another serious concern to the situation.
Authorities have not publicly identified anyone responsible for the threats. They have also not provided details about possible suspects or arrests connected to Stevens’ security concerns.
For now, her request remains subject to the Marshals Service’s review process. The situation highlights the security challenges facing elected officials during a politically tense election period.
