Once again Mayor Ghalib visits White House

Mayor Amer Ghalib poses with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick during a meeting they recently had in the White House. Photo: Facebook

By Charles Sercombe
Mayor Amer Ghalib has become a familiar face in President Trump’s White House.
The mayor once again visited the White House recently, where, this time, he met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to “discuss the possibility of bringing billions of dollars worth of investments to the United States.”
Just a few weeks ago, Ghalib met with National Security Adviser Stephen Miller, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair to discuss his nomination to be the next ambassador to Kuwait.
In that previous meeting, they had also talked about a possible multi-million-dollar financial package for Hamtramck.
This time, it was about attracting foreign business investments, which presumably meant investment in Hamtramck as well.
Ghalib had this to say, on his Facebook page, about the visit with Lutnick:
“We discussed the details of major, billion dollar investment opportunities and projects in the US for foreign investors. The minister confirmed that he and President Trump welcome foreign investment projects and will work to derail difficulties and obstacles to attract investment and help investors implement their projects in the United States.
“The efforts come in line with President Trump’s vision focused on attracting foreign investment to the United States.
Ghalib’s Facebook post preceded a raid on a Hyundai factory being built in Georgia where ICE agents detained and deported over 300 South Korean workers who were here legally.
Hyundai had planned on hiring thousands of American workers at the plant, but now the plant’s future is in doubt — as is Hyundai’s multi-million-dollar investment.
The South Korean government has lodged a complaint with the U.S. over the raid.
Critics have said that the raid by ICE could scuttle future foreign investment into the U.S.
As for Ghalib’s confirmation hearing with the U.S. Senate, that is expected to be voted through within a few weeks, according to a source.
Ghalib did not seek re-election this year. He is the first Yemeni-American to serve as mayor in Hamtramck.
Previously a backer of Democratic candidates, Ghalib threw his support behind Trump in the 2024 presidential election because Trump promised to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza in one day.
That campaign boast was widely discredited, and the wars have only gotten worse since Trump has been president.
Ghalib is still unwavering in his support of Trump, despite the latter encouraging Israel to “finish the job” in Gaza, and his backing a plan to relocate Palestinians out of Gaza to neighboring countries.
Recently, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bombed a suspected Hamas headquarters in Qatar, and he is now threatening further military expansion in the Middle East.
Posted Sept. 19, 2025