Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Swing State Governor Taps Nation Of Islam Leader For Her Transition Team
Daily Wire ^ | 11/07/2026 | Drew Berkemeyer

Posted on 11/09/2026 11:23:17 AM PST by DFG

Michigan Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson has appointed a Nation of Islam leader who has repeatedly promoted antisemitic rhetoric and defended the group’s controversial leader, Louis Farrakhan, to serve on her gubernatorial transition team — months after an antisemitism coalition removed him from an advisory panel over those same affiliations.

Benson, a Democrat who defeated Republican Rep. John James in Tuesday’s gubernatorial election, selected Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad to serve on her 15-member transition council. The team also includes Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, and several other prominent Michigan Democrats.

Muhammad announced his appointment in a Facebook post, saying that the transition team would help prepare Benson’s policy priorities before she takes office. “With a Democratic trifecta, the opportunity to deliver resources and opportunities are increased,” he wrote.

But Muhammad’s appointment comes despite a record of statements and associations that have drawn condemnation from Jewish organizations. He is a “student minister” in the Nation of Islam and a self-described disciple of Farrakhan — who has made a number of troubling antisemitic remarks, including comparing Jews to “termites” and calling Adolf Hitler “a great man.”

The Combat Antisemitism Movement, a coalition of approximately 700 organizations, removed Muhammad from its inaugural mayoral advisory committee over the summer after the Washington Free Beacon reported on his Nation of Islam ties and his support for Farrakhan.

“CAM was recently made aware of positions and affiliations held by Mayor Muhammad that are inconsistent with CAM’s mission,” a spokesperson said at the time. “As a result, CAM decided he will no longer serve on the board, and he was notified accordingly.”

The group said it “will collaborate with no one who legitimizes” the Nation of Islam, citing its “notorious record of antisemitism.”

Muhammad has repeatedly defended Farrakhan and promoted his speeches, per the Free Beacon. In July 2020, after Farrakhan referred to Jews collectively as “the Satan” during a sermon, Muhammad posted a photograph of the Nation of Islam leader with the caption: “Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.”

In a May podcast interview with fellow Nation of Islam members, Muhammad repeatedly invoked “the enemy” while discussing “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy,” a book alleging that pro-Israel interests exert malign influence over American foreign policy.

“They have the muscle, they have the money, they have power, they have influence,” Muhammad said.

Muhammad has also promoted Nation of Islam literature alleging that Jews played a central role in the transatlantic slave trade. He has invoked Kristallnacht, a Nazi state-sponsored series of violent pogroms, to describe alleged attacks on Black Muslim businesses, referring to what he called “the ongoing Jewish and Gentile Kristallnacht.”

In addition, Muhammad has promoted the Nation of Islam’s “Muslim Program,” which calls for racial segregation and states that “intermarriage or race mixing should be prohibited.” Muhammad has described the program as the “ultimate solution” to America’s “race problem.”

His relationship with Farrakhan extends beyond public endorsements. Muhammad has credited the Nation of Islam leader with helping launch his political career, saying Farrakhan encouraged him to run for mayor and pledged to “put the whole Nation behind” his campaign. Muhammad also said Farrakhan advised him in 2019 to reject an invitation to visit Israel as part of a peace mission.

Benson has maintained a relationship with Muhammad despite the controversy. The two have described themselves as longtime friends, and Muhammad said in an August interview that they had developed a relationship “outside of politics.” Benson publicly thanked him during her primary victory speech and has featured his endorsement on her campaign website. She also spoke at a Juneteenth prayer breakfast hosted by Muhammad in Benton Harbor last year.

Muhammad also campaigned alongside Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed, a far-left Democrat whose associations with controversial anti-Israel activists, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Nation of Islam figures drew scrutiny during his Senate campaign.

The transition appointment could put Benson, who will succeed two-term Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, at odds with Jewish organizations that have warned against legitimizing the Nation of Islam. It also raises questions about the judgment behind her selections as she prepares to lead a politically competitive state with a substantial Jewish population.


TOPICS: Politics
KEYWORDS: elissaslotkin; jocelynbenson; marcusmuhammad; michigan

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.


1 posted on 11/09/2026 11:23:17 AM PST by DFG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: DFG

State by state the Dems are turning the US into a one-party dictatorship. A few RINOs will be left to maintain the appearance of a democratic republic, but that’s it.


2 posted on 11/09/2026 11:25:32 AM PST by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens" )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG

How are these people even considered? I knew she was a crackpot. Wonder what size burkha she wears...


3 posted on 11/09/2026 11:27:34 AM PST by madison10 (...libertas sacra)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG

NOI is as anti-white as it’s anti-Jewish.


4 posted on 11/09/2026 11:31:08 AM PST by Tell It Right (1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG

Michiganders drank the fruit punch.


5 posted on 11/09/2026 11:31:45 AM PST by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG

Hey Michigan, you voted for this sh*t enjoy


6 posted on 11/09/2026 11:33:10 AM PST by Sarah Barracuda
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG

Enjoy Michigan, enjoy.


7 posted on 11/09/2026 11:33:51 AM PST by Vision (“Our Democracy” means "Our Slush Fund." The Left is hate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG

Threats were probably made. “Do this or else.”

The Democrats are not in control of their own party.
The American people are not in control of their own country.


8 posted on 11/09/2026 11:36:42 AM PST by ClearCase_guy (Some people want to control their own life, others want to control the lives of others. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG

YES!!!!! The LORD is faithful in judging.


9 posted on 11/09/2026 11:39:17 AM PST by Salvavida
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG

Michiganistan and Minnesotarabia will long regret their newest immigrants taking over their states.


10 posted on 11/09/2026 11:40:04 AM PST by dowcaet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dowcaet

Maybe that should be changed to Minnesotamalia instead.


11 posted on 11/09/2026 11:41:09 AM PST by dowcaet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: DFG

Democrats, tell me again how you’re not anti-Semitic.


12 posted on 11/09/2026 11:43:43 AM PST by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG; lightman; Navy Patriot

Too bad John James keeps losing!

And now he’s lost to a bozo who sucks up to radical muslims! Not good!


13 posted on 11/09/2026 11:46:15 AM PST by Honorary Serb (Kosovo is Serbia! Free Srpska! Abolish ICTY!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG

LOL The NoI is not Islamic, and some Muslims view them as blaspheming Allah and Mohammed.

Stock up on popcorn and buy stock in ketchup, folks! The dems are gonna eat themselves up like two-for-one at Homestyle Buffet. LOL


14 posted on 11/09/2026 11:50:15 AM PST by Retrofitted
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG
"Swing State Governor Taps Nation Of Islam Leader For Her Transition Team"


15 posted on 11/09/2026 11:54:15 AM PST by clearcarbon (Fraudulent elections have consequences.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pierrem15

The voters begged for it. I have no sympathy for any of them. I hope they make it so uncomfortable and horrible for the voters, that they never vote like this again.


16 posted on 11/09/2026 12:00:49 PM PST by napscoordinator (DeSantis is a beast! Florida is the freest state in the country! )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson