City foots bill for mayor and three councilmembers to attend inauguration

City Councilmembers Abu Musa, Khalil Refai, Mayor Amer Ghalib, and Councilmember Muhtasin Sadman attended President Trump’s inauguration. Photo Facebook

By Charles Sercombe
Hamtramck was represented at President Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
Mayor Amer Ghalib and City Councilmembers Khalil Refai, Abu Musa and Muhtasin Sadman were part of the festivities.
So who paid for their trip and stay?
Hamtramck taxpayers.
However, it wasn’t much of an expense, costing a total of just over $7,000, according to public records The Review received through a Freedom of Information Act request.
And, for those wondering, they all flew economy/coach – not first class.
Each was given a total of a $300 per diem for spending money.
Mayor Ghalib made local, national and international news for endorsing Trump.
Up until last year, Ghalib had identified as a Democrat, but threw his support to Trump after souring on former President Biden and his continued support of Israel’s war in Gaza.
The Biden administration supplied military weapons to Israel in its war in the Gaza Strip that has now cost the lives of about 50,000 Palestinians, and left the entire area virtually unlivable.
Ghalib and others were attracted to Trump’s promise to bring peace and end the war in Gaza, as well as in Ukraine.
A ceasefire was finally agreed on in Gaza during the last days of Biden’s term, but the Ukraine war is still ongoing despite Trump’s promise to end it on “Day One” of his administration.
Ghalib also galvanized the support of many metro area Arabs and Muslims to join him in turning away from the Democratic Party and supporting Trump.
That support is greatly credited for helping Trump win Michigan.
Ghalib is now waiting to find out if he has a position in the Trump administration.
Although the Hamtramck officials were able to score tickets to the inauguration, they were not at the actual swearing-in ceremony held inside the capital building. Instead, they were part of the festivities held after that ceremony in the Capital One Arena, where a procession and parade were held.
Reaction on social media about the city paying for Ghalib and the councilmembers to attend the event in Washington D.C. was mixed.
Retired Hamtramck Housing Commission employee Lawrence Macks, who is a supporter of Trump, said it was money well spent.
“Advocating for Hamtramck, at the highest level,” Macks said on the Facebook page called Hamtramck Square.
Hjmahh Klaham was also supportive. Ghalib and the others are “making Hamtramck great again. That ain’t cheap.”
But Diana Hashem took issue with city money being spent on the trip.

“This was his (Ghalib’s) personal choice to attend,” Hashem said. “He should be paying out of pocket, but if not then he should’ve asked his buddy Trump to pay for it.”
Posted Feb. 7, 2025