Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has publicly opposed the Trump administration’s nomination of Amer Ghalib for U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, citing deep concerns over Ghalib’s past comments on the Muslim Brotherhood, a group Cruz has repeatedly labeled as a global terrorist organization. During a contentious Senate hearing on Thursday, Cruz declared that he could not support Ghalib’s confirmation due to the mayor’s refusal to outright condemn the Brotherhood, which Cruz argues is at odds with U.S. geopolitical interests.
Ghalib, the mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, has faced bipartisan scrutiny in recent weeks, with senators from both parties expressing unease over his social media posts and public statements. The Department of State has endorsed Ghalib’s nomination, citing his multicultural background, regional expertise, and political success as a community leader. However, the Senate hearing exposed significant controversy surrounding his past views, particularly his association with the Muslim Brotherhood, which has raised red flags among lawmakers.
Cruz’s opposition to the nomination has drawn attention not only to Ghalib’s stance on the Brotherhood but also to his broader perspectives on U.S. foreign policy, especially regarding the Middle East and Israel. Ghalib, who has previously endorsed former President Donald Trump, faces mounting pressure as senators question his ability to align with American interests, particularly if the Muslim Brotherhood is officially designated a terrorist organization or if policies on the Middle East diverge from his personal views. The final vote on Ghalib’s nomination remains pending, with no set date for a decision.
In addition to his views on the Muslim Brotherhood, Ghalib’s confirmation has been complicated by his past statements on the Israel-Gaza conflict. During the hearing, several lawmakers, including Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, criticized Ghalib for making posts that they considered inflammatory or controversial, such as comparing Jewish people to monkeys. Ghalib defended these comments, stating that they were often taken out of context or mistranslated from Arabic. However, the senators were not convinced, with Rosen emphasizing that his actions could undermine the role of an American ambassador.
Ghalib’s background as a mayor of Hamtramck, a city with a significant Muslim population, has also drawn scrutiny. The city had previously voted to approve a resolution supporting Palestinian interests and rejecting investment in Israeli companies, a stance that many senators view as incompatible with U.S. foreign policy. Ghalib, who has endorsed Trump in the past, is now under pressure to demonstrate that his views align with the administration’s priorities, especially as the Senate continues to debate his nomination. The absence of a final decision has left the situation in limbo, with lawmakers from both parties still weighing their support or opposition to the nomination.
Despite the controversy, the State Department has defended Ghalib’s nomination, highlighting his background as a former auto worker, healthcare professional, and community leader. His story of rising from a farmer in Yemen to a mayor in the U.S. has been presented as evidence of his ability to navigate complex international relations. However, his confirmation hearings have exposed deep divisions in the Senate over the role of religion and ideology in U.S. foreign policy, with many lawmakers questioning whether Ghalib’s past statements could compromise the integrity of America’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.
As the debate over Ghalib’s nomination continues, the outcome could have implications for U.S.-Kuwait relations, particularly if the administration moves forward with designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. The Senate’s final decision will be a test of whether lawmakers can balance the need for cultural sensitivity with the demands of American foreign policy. For now, the situation remains unresolved, with Ghalib’s nomination hanging by a thread as the Senate awaits further developments.