It’s been nine months since President Trump began his second term, yet confirmation hearings are still dominating activities on Capitol Hill. The Senate is currently evaluating around 120 nominees.
The openings available tend to be at lower levels beneath the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and Secretary roles, but they still require the Senate’s advice and consent.
Among those awaiting a decision is Amer Ghalib, who was nominated to be the U.S. ambassador to Kuwait eight months ago. His nomination could face a negative recommendation from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unless he opts to withdraw.
Mr. Ghalib, a Yemeni-born former mayor of Hamtramck—a city known for being the first Muslim-majority city in the U.S. since 2013—was elected as a Democrat in 2021. He joined a six-member all-Muslim city council noted for its socially conservative and pro-Trump stances. Ghalib has even banned gay pride flags from being displayed on public flagpoles. In his tenure, he has faced criticism for remarks deemed racist and anti-Semitic on social media.
That loyalty to Trump—he supported the president during the last election—may have played a big role in his nomination. After meeting Trump in September, Ghalib was showcased at several public appearances with the president. The ambassadorship seems to be a kind of reward for his allegiance.
If Trump disregards dissenting views about his nominees, the Foreign Relations Committee is likely to become increasingly hesitant. Recently, Ghalib was in court dealing with accusations of anti-Semitic comments and allegations that he’s supported terrorist activities against Israel by the Houthis. He has referred to the Muslim Brotherhood as an “inspiration.” Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania) have expressed intentions to oppose his nomination, and it appears that Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) is also not in favor. Should all Democrats on the committee vote against him, Ghalib might already be out of the running.
Some speculate that this growing skepticism among Trump’s nominees indicates a shift toward Congressional Republicans asserting their independence, distancing themselves from a president who demands unwavering loyalty.
Last month, Joel Rayburn was announced as the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, but his nomination was withdrawn following disagreements with Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.). Similarly, the nomination for special prosecutor Paul Ingrassia was scrapped amid allegations involving racist and pro-Nazi messages.
These developments raise questions: Are mainstream Republicans trying to distance themselves from Trump? Back in April 2024, I noted how Trump consolidates power within his family while managing the party differently than during his first term. The current administration lacks many of the notable figures from Trump’s initial presidency, such as Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and National Intelligence Director Dan Coats.
At the same time, it’s impossible for Republicans to overlook Trump’s declining approval ratings, which have dropped significantly. Any elected official would have to take notice of that.
Trump might dismiss these numbers, but with the midterms approaching, there’s a legitimate concern. The Democratic Party has been performing well lately, winning major races in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York. For the Republican Party to survive after Trump, particularly with his decreasing popularity, they need to move beyond being merely a reflection of his views and will.
Merely rejecting unsuitable nominees isn’t sufficient. There’s a significant credibility gap within Senate Republicans. They supported less conventional choices for roles previously, like confirming Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services. They united to support Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security and Russell Vought for the Office of Management and Budget.
Interestingly, even Pete Hegseth, known for his strong and simplistic views, faced opposition from only three Republicans. Vice President J.D. Vance had to step in to break a tie to get Hegseth confirmed as Secretary of Defense.
In the past, the Republican Party has often quietly accepted candidates who were far from the mainstream or qualified, perpetuating the narrative that the 2020 election was stolen, which is a loyalty issue Trump demands from his party.
It’s possible Amer Ghalib may never serve as ambassador to Kuwait. However, if that’s the case, it doesn’t necessarily indicate that Republicans in Washington have genuine authority separate from Trump. Achieving that would require much more.
