Sean Hannity has no interest in the truth about the smears that were spread about 9-11 victim Mohammed Salman Hamdani.

That's the only conclusion that can be drawn from his attack on Rep. Keith Ellison tonight.

Ellison, recall, became emotional during his opening statement at Rep. Peter King's controversial hearings on radicalization in the American Muslim community Thursday, telling the story of a Muslim first responder who died in the September 11 attacks:

Mr. Hamdani bravely sacrificed his life to try and help others on 9/11. After the tragedy some people tried to smear his character solely because of his Islamic faith. Some people spread false rumors and speculated that he was in league with the attackers only because he was Muslim. It was only when his remains were identified that these lies were fully exposed.

Right-wing media rushed to call Ellison a liar and a bigot, despite ample news reports from 2001 and 2002 noting speculation and insinuations that Hamdani was a terrorist in hiding.

Calling Ellison a liar again tonight, Hannity pointed to a single fact that he claimed did not support Ellison: Hamdani was mentioned in the Patriot Act for acting heroically.

Of course, this does not disprove the fact that “some people tried to smear [Hamdani's] character” throughout the period that he was missing.

In fact, for months after the Patriot Act was signed in late October 2001, rumors persisted that Hamdani, whose body was not found at the World Trade Center site until March 2002, was a terrorist.

AP reported in April 2002:

For six months after Sept. 11, the family of Salman Hamdani had to endure the rumors that he was a fugitive terrorist, or that he was in federal custody. On Friday, he was remembered for what he truly was: a hero who died in the rubble of the World Trade Center.

Sean Hannity cannot change this fact.

He can only call Rep. Ellison a liar, excusing smears against Muslims and cleaning up for Rep. King's controversial hearings.