President Donald Trump’s pick for U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, Amer Ghalib, is hitting a brick wall in the Senate, and it’s not just the usual partisan gridlock, as Washington Examiner reports.
The controversy surrounding Ghalib, the trailblazing first Muslim-American mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, boils down to serious allegations of antisemitic remarks and questionable stances on U.S.-designated terrorist groups, leaving his confirmation in jeopardy.
Let’s rewind to Ghalib’s journey, which started with promise as a historic figure in Michigan politics.
Trump tapped Ghalib for the Kuwait post, a move that initially seemed to signal inclusivity, but the goodwill evaporated faster than a desert mirage.
During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, October 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C., Ghalib faced a bipartisan barrage of criticism over past statements.
Among the most damning critiques were his remarks justifying Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel and calling Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein a “martyr”—hardly the resume builders for a diplomatic role.
Ghalib also drew fire for apparently “liking” a social media post comparing Jewish people to monkeys, a move that raised eyebrows across the political spectrum.
At the hearing, he tried to brush off his online activity as inconsequential, but senators weren’t buying the casual dismissal of such inflammatory content.
Even his explanation about the Saddam Hussein comment—claiming it was a “moment of anger” after Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq in 2020—landed like a lead balloon.
Republican heavyweights aren’t just skeptical; they’re outright opposed, with enough GOP senators against Ghalib to likely sink his nomination before it even reaches the floor.
Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., didn’t mince words, stating, “He doesn’t support the president’s policies on Israel.” McCormick added that Ghalib’s praise for Hussein showed he’s “not qualified,” a sentiment echoing through conservative corridors.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., piled on, noting, “That’s going to be hard to overcome in terms of even … getting that nomination to the floor.” If even the party whip is sounding the alarm, Ghalib’s chances look slimmer than a dime.
Senators like John Curtis, R-Utah, John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, have also publicly slammed the nomination, forming a formidable wall of resistance.
While Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a key voice on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, remains undecided, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., admits he’s only “vaguely familiar” with the drama, the momentum isn’t in Ghalib’s favor. Meanwhile, the White House has stayed mum, offering no defense to the Washington Examiner’s inquiries.
Here’s the rub: Trump’s endorsement of Ghalib may have been a strategic nod to Michigan’s Muslim community, but it’s now a political hot potato that even loyal conservatives are reluctant to touch. The GOP’s commitment to strong U.S.-Israel ties and zero tolerance for anything smacking of antisemitism isn’t negotiable, no matter who’s in the Oval Office. So, while Ghalib’s historic status is noteworthy, his past statements have painted him into a corner that even the most empathetic conservative can’t ignore.
