El-Sayed backs Trump's cut to Israel aid after Michigan win

Abdul El-Sayed, the Democrat who just won a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan, supports President Trump’s plan to stop sending money to Israel. El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers to become the first Muslim elected to the Senate. He said he agrees with the president on this specific policy change.

The president announced on November 4 that he intends to end about $4 billion in annual military aid to Israel by the end of the year. He did not provide details on how the cuts will be implemented. El-Sayed said he thinks the president is right about the policy.

El-Sayed also wants the United States to stop selling weapons to Israel. He said the U.S. should stop selling weaponry that gets used to do the worst things. This includes actions he described as genocide and apartheid. The current agreement provides Israel with $3.8 billion in annual military aid through 2028.

The issue of Israel and the war in Gaza was a major part of the Michigan campaign. El-Sayed faced attacks from Rogers, who was backed by Trump, over his faith and his view on military aid. Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed beat in the primary, endorsed Rogers days before the election. This move happened after a dispute over Israel.

El-Sayed now shares a position on aid with the president. He also questioned U.S. military support for other countries. He mentioned Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Pakistan. He said American tax dollars should be spent at home instead.

The race involved disagreements among voters in Michigan. NPR’s Michel Martin heard concerns about El-Sayed from some Jewish and Black voters before the election. El-Sayed said the results challenged the idea that he did not have their support. He said there is always more work to do and more conversations to have.

El-Sayed is 42 years old. He served as a public health official before running for office. His campaign focused on lowering costs and getting corporate money out of politics. He also pushed for Medicare for All.