Michigan Democrats selected Amir Makled, a trial lawyer, as their nominee for the University of Board of Regents at the state party's convention over the weekend, defeating incumbent Regent Jordan Acker, who is Jewish.
The nomination of Makled drew immediate criticism from within the party after reports emerged that he had shared and later deleted social media posts praising Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Abu Ali Khalil, both killed in Israeli airstrikes. In the shared posts, Nasrallah and Khalil were referred to as 'martyrs.'
Makled also shared a now-deleted post from Candace Owens in which she called Israelis 'demons' who 'lie, steal, cheat, murder and blackmail.' Fox News Digital reached out to Makled for comment.
The candidate has legally represented University of Michigan students involved in anti-Israel protests that formed on campus following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel. In his acceptance speech, Makled praised students who organized anti-Israel demonstrations.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and supporters of Makled's campaign have pointed to his advocacy for Palestinian rights and his legal representation of student protesters as central to his candidacy. Some progressive activists argue that criticism of Israel's government is distinct from support for militant groups.
In his acceptance speech, Makled honored students who participated in campus protests, saying: 'To these students, the students who spoke up, the students who organized, the students who refused to let anyone tell them that their education wasn't worth fighting for, you all reminded us what a public university is supposed to be.'
While the Michigan Democratic Party has not issued a formal statement defending Makled's nomination, party leaders have emphasized the importance of supporting candidates who advocate for divestment from Israel and criminal justice reform.
Some progressive commentators have argued that the focus on Makled's social media history distracts from policy issues and represents a double standard applied to progressive candidates.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans and moderate Democrats have sharply criticized Makled's nomination, arguing that the Michigan Democratic Party has moved too far to the left.
Brandon Dillon, former chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, wrote in an opinion piece published in the Detroit News that Makled 'is not a Democrat' and that his social media behavior reflects 'a pattern of extremism and bigotry.'
Dillon wrote: 'These are not isolated missteps or comments taken out of context. They reflect a broader pattern of poor judgment that should raise serious concern.'
Republicans have seized on the nomination as evidence of what they describe as radical elements controlling the Democratic Party. National Republican campaign committees have highlighted the story in fundraising communications.
The Michigan GOP has called on Democrats to withdraw Makled's nomination, arguing that praising a designated foreign terrorist organization disqualifies someone from holding a position on a public university board.
What the Numbers Show
The University of Michigan is one of 60 universities under investigation by the Department of Education for potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 regarding antisemitic harassment and discrimination on campus.
In December 2024, outgoing Regent Jordan Acker's car was vandalized with spray-painted messages including 'Divest... Free Palestine' and an inverted triangle symbol associated with Hamas. This was the third time that year Acker had been targeted by anti-Israel vandals, according to reports at the time.
Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States government, the European Union, and numerous other countries. The group has been responsible for thousands of rocket attacks on Israel and is backed by Iran.
Makled's nomination was decided at the Michigan Democratic Convention, where party delegates select nominees for statewide offices and university board positions.
The Bottom Line
The nomination of Makled presents Michigan Democrats with a potentially contentious general election candidate for a position that typically receives less public attention than statewide offices.
The University of Michigan Board of Regents oversees a university system with an annual budget exceeding $3 billion and responsibility for more than 50,000 students.
National Democrats have not yet commented publicly on the nomination. The general election will determine whether Makled serves on the board, with Republicans likely to make his social media history a central campaign issue.
The situation reflects broader tensions within the Democratic Party over Israel policy and campus activism, tensions that have persisted since the October 7, 2023 attacks and subsequent protests at universities nationwide.