Michigan Democrats select candidate who posted praise for Hezbollah leaders

Michigan Board Member Removed After Controversial Nominee Supported

A member of the University of Michigan’s Board of Trustees was dismissed following the Democratic Party’s nomination of Amir Makred, a candidate who had previously posted enthusiastic remarks about Hezbollah on social media.

Makred, a trial lawyer, triumphed over existing Regent Jordan Acker for the Democratic nomination during the state convention held over the weekend. This outcome sparked backlash from former officials within the state Democratic Party.

Prior to the convention, it came to light that Makred had made social media posts praising Hezbollah’s leaders, Hassan Nasrallah and Abu Ali Khalil, who were killed by an Israeli airstrike. He later removed these posts. In the content he shared, both Nasrallah and Khalil were labeled as “martyrs.”

The Democratic candidate also promoted a now-deleted post by Candace Owens, who described Israelis in notably negative terms.

Brandon Dillon, a former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, publicly criticized Makred’s candidacy in an opinion piece that ran days before the nomination was decided. Dillon argued that Makred’s online behavior indicated a disturbing tendency toward extremism and bigotry.

He noted that these comments aren’t just isolated incidents but demonstrate a troubling pattern. Dillon’s concerns were amplified by the broader discourse surrounding anti-Israel sentiments on campus.

In his acceptance address for the Democratic nomination, Makred praised the activism of students who led anti-Israel demonstrations at the University of Michigan following the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel. He commended those who stood firm in advocating for their education, saying they embodied the spirit of public universities.

This push for activist engagement comes even as the university faces scrutiny for how it has handled allegations of anti-Semitic bullying against Jewish students. Recently, the Department of Education signaled it was investigating the university for potential violations regarding Title VI of the Civil Rights Act concerning anti-Semitic discrimination.

In December 2024, an incident involving outgoing Regent Acker’s vehicle highlighted rising tensions; his car was defaced with slogans like “Liberate Palestine.” Acker, reflecting on the recurring attacks, mentioned that this was the third vandalization he had faced within the same year.