El-Sayed Backs Trump Plan to Halt $4 Billion in Israel Aid

Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated Republican Mike Rogers to become the first Muslim U.S. Senator from Michigan, said on Tuesday that he supports President Donald Trump's plan to end roughly $4 billion in annual military aid to Israel. The 42-year-old former public health official said after his victory, stating that the president is correct on this policy. Trump announced the intention to stop the aid by the end of the year, though he has not yet detailed how the cuts will be implemented.

El-Sayed went further than simply supporting the reduction in aid. He argued that the United States should also stop selling weaponry to Israel, noting that such arms are used to commit atrocities including genocide and apartheid. This position places the new senator on the same side of the issue as the president, a dynamic that emerged after a contentious campaign where Israel and the war in Gaza were major fault lines.

The path to the Senate seat was marked by sharp divisions within the Democratic Party. Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed defeated in the primary, had endorsed Rogers just days before the general election amid a bitter dispute over the party's stance on Israel. Rogers, a Republican backed by Trump, frequently attacked El-Sayed during the campaign, citing his Muslim faith and his opposition to U.S. Military support for Israel.

El-Sayed's foreign policy views extend beyond the Middle East. He has questioned U.S. Military support for Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Pakistan. He argued that American tax dollars should be spent domestically to lower costs and improve services for voters. His campaign focused heavily on economic issues, including Medicare for All and reducing the influence of corporate money in politics.

Despite his victory, El-Sayed acknowledged that his party remains divided. During a pre-election visit to Michigan, NPR's Michel Martin reported concerns from some Jewish and Black voters regarding El-Sayed. When asked if he still needed to build support within those communities, El-Sayed said the election results challenged the idea that he was an outlier. He emphasized that there is always more work to do and more conversations to have.

The U.S. Currently provides Israel with $3.8 billion in annual military aid under an agreement that runs through 2028. Trump's new plan aims to end this funding stream, a move that aligns with El-Sayed's long-standing criticism of the current arrangement. The senator's comments represent a clear signal of how his office may approach foreign policy matters in the coming months.