Republican Congresswoman, Michele Bachmann made accusations in a letter to the State Department last month that Huma Abedin, aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has family ties to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. She further warned that the Brotherhood may be infiltrating the US government.

According to several media sources, Bachmann claimed in her letter that Abedin's late father, mother and brother were also connected to Brotherhood organisations.

Abedin, who is in her mid-30s, and is Muslim-American, has worked as a Clinton aide for more than 15 years, currently as the state secretary's deputy chief of staff.

She was raised in Saudi Arabia, her father is Indian and her mother is Pakistani, but Abedin was born in Michigan.

In response, Speaker of the US House of Representatives John Boehner said it was dangerous for a fellow Republican to make such allegations.

"From everything I do know of her, she has a sterling character, and I think accusations like this being thrown around are pretty dangerous," AP quoted Boehner.

Republican Senator John McCain also attacked the allegations against Abedin, reported Egypt's official news agency, MENA.