Sen. Ted Cruz announced he won’t back the Trump administration’s nominee for ambassador to Kuwait after a sharp confirmation hearing that raised questions about the nominee’s past statements, his social media activity, and whether he’d align with U.S. policy on groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and Israel.
The Senate hearing turned into a test of judgment more than a routine confirmation, with Cruz and others pressing the nominee on past posts, municipal decisions, and comments about regional figures. Republicans argued the job demands a clear commitment to U.S. priorities in the Middle East, and any ambiguity on extremist groups or key allies is disqualifying. That front-and-center demand is why Cruz made his opposition public afterward.
One immediate trigger was the nominee’s handling of questions about the Muslim Brotherhood and how he referred to it in the past. “The Muslim Brotherhood is a global terrorist organization,” Cruz said in a post on X. “Amer Ghalib refers to them as an inspiration. That is in opposition to President Trump and is disqualifying. I cannot support his confirmation for the Ambassador to Kuwait.” The senator framed his stance as protecting American interests and ensuring our diplomats speak in one, clear voice.
The nominee, Amer Ghalib, has a compelling personal story that officials praised, and the State Department highlighted his journey in its summary. “Mr. Ghalib’s journey began as a farmer in Yemen, then as an autoworker in the United States, a healthcare professional, and then as an elected mayor of his city. His multicultural experience, deep regional knowledge and demonstrated success as a politician, leader and community organizer, make him a well-qualified candidate to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the State of Kuwait,” the State Department wrote in its summary of the administration’s nominee. Still, background and biography only go so far when questions touch on security and allegiance to American policy.
Senators from both parties drilled into social media activity and local government decisions that raised eyebrows in Washington. Members pointed to a city resolution that steered municipal investments away from Israeli companies and flagged social posts critics say crossed lines of decency and judgment. In the eyes of several Republicans, those records suggested potential conflicts with the duties of an ambassador to a key Gulf partner.
Cruz also pressed Ghalib about past social media posts that referenced historical figures and regional violence, not just policy about Israel or Hamas. When asked if he still considered Saddam Hussein a martyr, Ghalib initially tried to put the post in context. “I was a private citizen in 2020,” Ghalib answered, referring to the timing of a social media post when he had given that description. Senators pushed for clarity because the question matters when representing U.S. values abroad.
Cruz returned to the point and sought a direct answer about whether Ghalib maintained the earlier characterization. “I’m just asking your views. I asked you about today. Do you continue to believe that Saddam Hussein is a martyr today?” Cruz asked again. Ghalib attempted to walk back and reframe his comments about Saddam. “I don’t think that — there’s no doubt that Saddam was a dictator. I mean, I can say no. It wouldn’t matter. He’s in God’s hands; he’s going to get the treatment he deserves,” Ghalib said.
Democrats also raised concerns about the nominee’s online activity and local controversies, producing a bipartisan unease that stung the nomination. “You liked a Facebook comment comparing Jews to monkeys,” Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., said. “You characterized leaders you don’t like as becoming ‘Jewish.’ As mayor, you failed to comment after one of your political appointees called the Holocaust ‘advance punishment’ for the War in Gaza, and you denied that Hamas used sexual violence as a weapon of war on Oct. 7.” Those are heavyweight accusations that complicate any confirmation pitch.
Ghalib did not deny responsibility for some posts and argued that translations and context mattered in many cases. He pushed back that some material was misread or mistranslated and that his social media habits included responding to comments as a form of engagement. “I think a lot of my posts were written in Arabic and mistranslated,” Ghalib said in response to further questioning about some of the posts he had made himself.
Republicans like Cruz made clear they expect ambassadors to reflect the administration’s stance on terrorism and to make no room for ambiguity when it comes to groups that threaten American interests. That clarity, they argue, is essential for maintaining trust with regional partners. “That is beyond the pale. I will not be supporting your nomination,” Rosen said. “And if you are confirmed — I want you to remember this, sir: You will be an ambassador for the United States of America. And, thus, as ambassador, we must show respect to everyone. We will be watching to see if that happens.”
No final vote date is set, and the nomination now faces an uncertain path. The hearing made clear senators from both sides have deep reservations, and the White House will have to decide whether to push forward or find another nominee who matches the tough diplomatic standards Republicans are demanding. For now, Cruz has drawn his line and the confirmation clock is ticking.
