The firestorm surrounding allegations by Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., of Muslim Brotherhood infiltration of the State Department continues to grow, but the right-wing firebrand shows no sign of backing down.

Despite criticism from fellow Republicans, including House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, Bachmann doubled down on her allegations, and added a claim that Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., is also affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Meanwhile, the target of Bachmann’s initial attack, Huma Abedin, was receiving heightened security protection after unspecified threats...

Abedin, the deputy chief of staff for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and the wife of former Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., was allegedly threatened by a Muslim man after Bachmann issued her call for investigation of Abedin.

Bachmann has alleged that Abedin has close ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, but her evidence is tenuous at best. CAIR spokesperson Corey Saylor said that the allegations amounted to “a ‘six degrees of separation’ drinking game.”

Republicans Condemn Bachmann

A series of Republican officials continued to denounce Bachmann. John Boehner joined previous condemnations by Bachmann’s former campaign manager, Ed Rollins, as well as attacks by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. and Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass.

“I think accusations like this being thrown around are pretty dangerous,” Boehner said Thursday. Boehner added that Abedin “has a sterling character.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also both strongly disagreed with Bachmann.