WASHASHINTON — House Speaker John Boehner called Rep. Michele Bachmann’s claims against an aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “dangerous” Thursday, making him the latest Republican to scold the Minnesota congresswoman.

Bachmann has called for an investigation into Clinton aide Huma Abedin, saying her family is connected to the Islamist group the Muslim Brotherhood. U.S. Sen. John McCain sharply criticized Bachmann and her claims from the floor of the Senate Wednesday, leading Republicans such as U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, former campaign manager Ed Rollins and now Boehner to denounce the accusations.

“I haven’t seen the letter, but — I don’t know Huma, but from everything I do know of her, she has a sterling character,” Boehner said at his weekly press conference Thursday. “And I think accusations like this being thrown around are pretty dangerous.”

A reporter followed up, asking if the claims could hurt Bachmann’s position on the House Select Committee on Intelligence.

“I don’t know that that’s related at all,” Boehner said.

Bachmann didn’t back down from her accusations Wednesday, instead saying in a statement that her claims are “unfortunately being distorted.” The State Department calls the accusations “vile and disgusting lies.”

Devin Henry can be reached at dhenry@minnpost.com.