El-Sayed Says Democrats Can Work With Trump If He Acts Seriously
El-Sayed, who won Michigan’s Senate race on November 3, criticized Trump’s handling of the war in Iran, trade with Canada and Medicaid. He said previous presidents had avoided war with Iran because of the strategic risk around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for energy supplies. He also called Trump’s tariff conflict with Canada misguided and argued that Medicaid cuts were being used to fund tax reductions for wealthy Americans.
The incoming senator said Democrats were willing to work with Trump to address issues such as the cost of gas and groceries and access to medical care. But he warned that Trump’s choices would determine whether cooperation was possible, pointing to Stephen Miller’s role in the White House. Trump said Friday that Miller would become chief of staff on Monday, replacing Susie Wiles.
El-Sayed’s campaign focused on reducing money’s influence in politics, improving household finances and supporting Medicare for all. U.S. support for Israel also became a defining issue in his primary and general election campaigns; he has sharply criticized Israel’s government and U.S. military aid to it. Asked whether his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, had contacted him, El-Sayed said he did not believe so and suggested Rogers had left for Florida. El-Sayed is set to become the first Muslim senator in the United States.
El-Sayed Challenges Trump on War, Medicaid Cuts and Canada Tariffs
El-Sayed put the stakes of Trump’s policies in terms of energy costs, health coverage and household budgets. Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” the senator-elect condemned the Iran war, the tariff conflict with Canada and Medicaid cuts that he said would finance tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. He argued that the Strait of Hormuz could become a choke point for energy supplies and warned that Medicaid reductions would take effect in January.
El-Sayed said Democrats would cooperate if Trump focused on helping people afford gas, groceries and medical care. His warning was that the president’s decisions, including putting Stephen Miller in the chief of staff role, could instead lead to more conflict. Trump said Miller would take over from Susie Wiles on Monday.
El-Sayed won Michigan’s Senate race on November 3 after campaigns in which he called for less money in politics, more money in people’s pockets and Medicare for all. He also made U.S. support for Israel a central issue, criticizing Israel’s government and American military aid. He said he did not know whether Republican Mike Rogers had reached out after the race.
El-Sayed Offers Cooperation While Attacking Trump’s Policies
El-Sayed’s promise to cooperate with Trump came with a condition: the president must take what the senator-elect considers a serious approach. On ABC’s “This Week,” El-Sayed attacked the Iran war, tariffs on Canada and Medicaid reductions, describing the policies as foolish and questioning the judgment behind them.
He said Democrats would work with the president to address affordability and access to doctors, but also warned that Trump could choose a different course. El-Sayed cited Stephen Miller’s move into the chief of staff role as an indication of the administration’s direction. Trump said Miller would replace Susie Wiles on Monday.
El-Sayed won Michigan’s Senate race on November 3, and is set to become the first Muslim senator in the country. His campaign also emphasized reducing money’s role in politics and supporting Medicare for all. He was a staunch critic of Israel’s leadership and American military assistance there, an issue that shaped his races against Democrat Haley Stevens and Republican Mike Rogers. Asked about contact from Rogers, El-Sayed said he did not think he had heard from him.
Reported by Breitbart, ABC News.
