Overview
- Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee criticized Ghalib over past statements on Israel, his comments about Oct. 7 sexual violence, and his social media activity.
- Cruz argued Ghalib’s views conflict with the president’s policies and indicated he would oppose moving the nomination forward, leaving the committee outcome uncertain.
- Ghalib defended his record, saying he habitually “liked” posts as acknowledgements rather than endorsements and described calling Saddam Hussein a martyr as a reaction in a moment of anger in 2020.
- Senators questioned his handling of Hamtramck issues, including a city BDS resolution and his response to a council member who invoked the Holocaust in comments about Israel.
- Trump nominated the Democratic mayor after Ghalib endorsed him in 2024, as advocacy groups urged withdrawal and GOP senators previously pressed the White House to pull the pick.