Staff Reports
The mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, Amer Ghalib, has turned the political spotlight on President Biden and his administration, pointing fingers at their lack of attention to the conflict in Gaza. In a surprising career move, Ghalib has thrown his endorsement behind former President Donald Trump, making it clear that neglect from the current administration is not sitting well with him or the Arab American community he represents. With Election Day just around the corner, the stakes are high as both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris scramble for Michigan’s 16 electoral votes—votes that are as essential as they are unpredictable.
Ghalib’s dissatisfaction boils down to more than just geopolitical mishaps; it’s about feeling ignored. He participated in what he terms the “uncommitted movement,” a peaceful protest encouraging Democratic voters to register their discontent by choosing “uncommitted” during the Michigan primary. Biden’s belated call for a ceasefire in Gaza seemed to have landed flat, and Ghalib made it clear that this lack of effective action was an attempt to silence a community that feels marginalized. The refrain of “negligence” has become a popular one in Ghalib’s speeches, and he doesn’t shy away from the fact that he believes the Biden administration should pay for its missteps—specifically with the Arab American electorate which could turn the tide in an election.
Muslim Michigan mayor says Trump endorsement followed ‘neglect’ from Harris https://t.co/TGa9GLEvRu
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) November 4, 2024
For even more drama, Ghalib doesn’t hold back in his criticism of Kamala Harris, especially pointing out her decision to enlist Liz Cheney as a top military adviser. According to Ghalib, Cheney’s presence is a painful reminder of the Iraq War debacle and the carnage that followed based on questionable premises—historical grievances that certainly aren’t lost on many Arab Americans. This appointment, Ghalib insists, adds “insult to injury,” reinforcing existing reservations about the Democratic platform’s sincerity toward the Arab American community.
Joining forces with Trump on the campaign trail, Ghalib asserts that the Democrats ought to be “punished” at the ballot box for their indifference. It appears that both he and Trump are standing shoulder to shoulder, rallying against an administration that has allegedly been more focused on its own agenda than the well-being of American citizens grappling with international conflicts. It’s a bold maneuver that could sway a bloc of voters traditionally seen as leaning Democratic.
Despite making up a relatively small percentage of Michigan’s electorate, Arab Americans represent nearly 5% of the state’s total voting population, according to the Arab American Institute. This number is significant enough to turn elections upside down. Ghalib’s shift to Trump’s camp could encourage others in the community to reconsider their allegiance. If Ghalib’s frustrations echo the feelings of his constituents, this may just be the thorn in the side of the Biden-Harris ticket that they never saw coming.
