Amer Ghalib, the mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, and a former Democrat turned Donald Trump supporter, faced intense questioning during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Thursday. Nominated in March 2024 to become the U.S. ambassador to Kuwait, Ghalib’s confirmation has been delayed due to his controversial social media posts and outspoken criticism of Israel, which have drawn criticism from pro-Israel groups and right-wing media outlets. Ghalib, the first Muslim mayor to endorse Trump, defended his past remarks, including his dismissal of reports of Hamas’ sexual violence during the October 7 attacks, which he later attributed to a lack of awareness of the evidence. Senator Jeanne Shaheen challenged Ghalib on his comments, citing well-documented evidence of Hamas’ atrocities. Ghalib condemned all forms of abuse and expressed regret for his past social media activity, which he described as a “bad habit” of engaging with inflammatory posts. He also addressed his previous opposition to the Abraham Accords, stating that he now supports normalization with Israel. Ghalib emphasized his commitment to combating antisemitism, citing a resolution passed under his leadership in Hamtramck. Despite the controversy, Ghalib retains Trump’s support, as evidenced by a recent phone call from the former president. Ghalib’s nomination has sparked debate within both political parties, with some viewing it as a test of the Republican Party’s relationship with the Arab American community. His hearing highlighted the challenges of reconciling personal beliefs with public office, as well as the broader political implications of his appointment.