Republican and Democratic members of Senate Foreign Relations Committee On Thursday, there was a rare display of unity in protest against President Trump’s candidacy. Ambassador to KuwaitInvestigating the history of alleged anti-Semitic comments and posts.
Trump nominee Aamer Ghalib’s problematic record against Israel, Jews, and US-designated terrorist groups has allowed some of the president’s most ardent supporters to oppose his selection to represent the US in the Middle East.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said of Ghalib during his confirmation hearing, “I think the facts here are absolutely clear, and your long-standing positions are directly contrary to the president’s.”
Cruz signaled him will not vote in favor To advance Ghalib’s nomination. Another Republican would have to join all the Democrats to block its advancement from the committee.
The fact that Ghalib was granted a hearing for his confirmation signals further progress in the committee, and some Republicans have chosen to vote against Trump’s nominees since he returned to the White House in January.
During a foreign relations business meeting in September, Republican members rallied around nominee Trump Ambassador to BelgiumDespite support on social media for Bill White, a convicted Belgian Holocaust-denier.
Ghalib – who previously served as the first Muslim American mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan – was nominated for the ambassador role in May. He endorsed Trump for president in September 2024 after meeting privately, giving the then-GOP presidential nominee significant legitimacy among the Muslim population amid simmering anger against the Biden administration and former Vice President Kamala Harris over his handling of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
Ghalib came under scrutiny for claims in which he denied that Hamas had committed sexual violence against women and children during the October 7, 2023 attack; Posts comparing Jews to monkeys are being “liked” in social media history; calling ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein a martyr; Saying that the Muslim Brotherhood is an “inspiration” and expressing support for Houthi attacks against commercial shipping linked to Israel.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member of the committee, said, “Local news outlets in your city reported in October 2023 that you claimed that the October 7 report of sexual violence by Hamas was a campaign of lies and deception, and that there was no evidence to support that these crimes were committed against the victims.”
“When you met with my staff before this hearing, you did not deny that you made those statements, which, if true, I appreciate that you were at least honest about it, but you reiterated that you believe there is no evidence of sexual violence against victims.” [October] Seventh,” he added.
Ghalib was also convicted for not speaking out against a Hamtramck City Council member who said genocide was an advanced punishment against Israel for its conduct in the war in Gaza and oversaw the passage of a resolution supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.
“Do you believe it is fair to compare Israel, a democratic ally that defends itself against terrorism, to the Nazi regime that systematically murdered six million Jews?” Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) questioned Ghalib.
“Given that you would be the highest-ranking diplomat of the United States in Kuwait, a country that Saddam invaded, how do you justify calling Saddam Hussein a martyr for us, but also for the people of Kuwait?” asked Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), who served in the Gulf War.
The GOP’s sharp questions came at the head of the investigation from Democratic members like Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.).
Ghalib said he had a “bad habit” of “liking” every social media post as a form of approval but not indicating his approval, and he praised Hussein in a “moment of anger” in January 2020 after Iranian troops attacked US bases in Iraq.
“In a moment of anger, I applauded Saddam because he kept Iran under control and that’s probably the only positive thing he did in his life,” the nominee said.
He said he had no power to remove an officer who celebrated the massacre and that he had no say in the BDS resolution on the city council.
But even if Republicans push Ghalib back on his previous positions, it is unclear whether GOP members of the panel will vote against advancing his nomination or simply seek to give Ghalib a forum to clarify his positions.
“Do you agree or disagree with President Trump’s view that Israel is and should be the national home of the Jewish people?” McCormick asked Ghalib.
He responded, “I have confidence in the President’s policies and I will support this policy.”
