El-Sayed backs Trump cut to Israel aid

Abdul El-Sayed supported President Donald Trump’s proposal to reduce U.S. military aid to Israel following his election to the U.S. Senate.

The president announced a plan to end approximately $4 billion in annual military assistance to the country by the end of the year. The U.S. currently provides $3.8 billion in this aid under an agreement that expires in 2028. El-Sayed said he welcomed the specific policy change during an interview on Morning Edition.

El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race. At 42, El-Sayed is the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. Rogers had attacked El-Sayed’s faith and his stance on military aid during the campaign. The former public health official campaigned on lowering costs, expanding Medicare, and reducing corporate influence in politics.

El-Sayed stated, "I think the president is actually right on this policy." He added that he wants to stop selling weaponry to Israel that is used for severe outcomes, including genocide and apartheid. The candidate argued that the issue extends beyond Israel. He questioned U.S. military support for Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Pakistan, stating that American tax dollars should be spent domestically.

Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed defeated in the Democratic primary, endorsed Rogers days before the general election. The endorsement came after a dispute regarding the role of Israel in U.S. foreign policy. This conflict created a division within the party that persisted until the vote. The election results in Michigan shifted the balance of power in Congress to the Democrats.

During a pre-election visit to Michigan, NPR correspondent Michel Martin noted concerns from some Jewish and Black voters about El-Sayed. El-Sayed said the election results challenged the narrative that he needed more work to win their support. He said, "There's always more work to do. There's always more to build. There's always more conversations to have."