In a notable setback for President Donald Trump, Amer Ghalib's nomination as the United States Ambassador to Kuwait appears to be faltering, with at least three Republican senators on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee poised to vote against him. This resistance from within the president's own party could potentially doom Ghalib's confirmation both in committee and on the Senate floor.

Amer Ghalib, currently serving as the mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, has made headlines previously for his endorsement of Trump. Hamtramck is notably the only U.S. city governed entirely by Muslims. During his confirmation hearing last Thursday, Ghalib was intensely scrutinized by both Republicans and Democrats for his past comments, which included statements suggesting that Israel deserved attacks from Hamas, as well as purported compliments directed towards members of the Muslim Brotherhood and the late Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein.

Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) expressed his opposition early on, stating, "I was a ‘no’ even before the hearing." Similarly, Texas Republican Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn also signaled their intentions to reject Ghalib’s nomination. With Democrats expected to vote against him, Ghalib can only afford to lose three Republican votes before requiring Vice President JD Vance to intervene with a tie-breaking vote.

The recent confirmation hearing further jeopardized Ghalib's prospects. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) intensely questioned Ghalib on his views regarding Israel and remained noncommittal on his final vote, indicating ongoing discussions with Senator Jim Risch, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

This opposition marks the second instance this month of a Trump nominee facing rejection from Republican senators. Just last week, Paul Ingrassia's nomination to lead the office of the special counsel was withdrawn following reports of alleged racist texts, highlighting a growing scrutiny within the party on the backgrounds and views of presidential nominees.

The White House and the State Department have yet to comment on the unfolding situation regarding Ghalib’s nomination. Similarly, a spokesperson for Senator Risch has not confirmed whether Risch will support Ghalib or if the nominee will appear on the agenda for an upcoming committee markup.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will respond to this potential setback in its diplomatic appointments, reflecting broader tensions and challenges within the party.