Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks during a press conference on September 22, 2026, in Detroit. El-Sayed addressed gas prices and their effect on the daily cost of living. Photo by Sarah Rice/Getty Images
El-Sayed calls to end US weapons sales to foreign governments
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
Following a historic victory in Michigan that made him the first Muslim elected to the US Senate, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed is calling on the federal government to halt weapons sales to foreign nations, stating that US arms are being used to commit "genocide and apartheid and war."
We need to stop selling weaponry to foreign governments that use it to do the worst things, including genocide and apartheid and war. https://t.co/7nhYsPB3q6
— Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) November 12, 2026
Sharing an NPR report on X after his win, El-Sayed wrote: "We need to stop selling weaponry to foreign governments that use it to do the worst things, including genocide and apartheid and war."
The 42-year-old former public health official defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race as Democrats reclaimed control of Congress.
While El-Sayed campaigned on domestic issues, including lowering household costs, establishing Medicare for All, and removing corporate money from politics, foreign policy and the war in Gaza became defining fault lines in the contest.
During the race, Rogers, who was backed by US President Donald Trump, repeatedly criticized El-Sayed over his Muslim faith and his opposition to US military aid for 'Israel'.
The issue also caused divisions within Michigan's Democratic Party. Just days before the election, Representative Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed had defeated in the Democratic primary, endorsed Rogers amid sharp disagreements over US policy toward 'Israel'.
El-Sayed's post-election position aligns him with Trump on the question of direct military assistance.
Trump recently announced plans to end roughly $4 billion in annual US military aid to 'Israel' by the end of the year, though the administration has not yet provided details on how the cuts would be carried out.
According to the US Department of State and the Congressional Research Service (CRS), 'Israel' receives $3.8 billion annually under a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2016 that runs through 2028.
Speaking to NPR's Morning Edition following his victory, El-Sayed welcomed Trump’s proposal while reiterating his push to stop arms sales altogether.
"I think the president is actually right on this policy," El-Sayed told NPR. "I'd also like to see us stop selling weaponry that gets used to do the worst things, including genocide and apartheid, to Israel."
