Legal Insurrection by Elizabeth Stauffer 4/20/2026
The outlet spoke to one of Makled’s exuberant student volunteers, who said, “I want a regent who is willing to divest our endowment from a genocide.” At their state endorsement convention on Sunday night, Michigan Democrats enthusiastically nominated progressive civil rights attorney Amir Makled, a man who has praised both Hezbollah and Iran’s theocratic regime, to replace University of Michigan regent Jordan Acker, a Jewish man whose home and office have been targets of antisemitic terror attacks.
The Detroit News reported that ahead of the vote, Makled deleted several social media posts in which he lauded Hezbollah leaders. In one post, which the outlet was able to access through archives, Makled refers to the designated terrorist group’s former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israeli airstrikes in September 2024, as a “martyr.”
The Lebanese American is known for representing students involved in pro-Palestinian campus protests.
According to the Michigan Daily:
The race between Acker and Makled has mirrored national divides between moderate and progressive Democrats. Acker is seen by many progressive activists as representative of the Board’s current policies, such as ending the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs; cutting gender-affirming health care for patients under the age of 19; and prosecuting pro-Palestine student protesters. The victory of Makled — who provided legal representation for protesters and has been critical of the current Board — was perceived by many convention attendees as a major progressive upset.
The outlet spoke to one of Makled’s exuberant student volunteers, who said, “I want a regent who is going to put students over everything. I want a regent who is going to defend students when they want to express their First Amendment rights. I want a regent who is going to treat students with the dignity and the respect they deserve. I want a regent who is willing to divest our endowment from a genocide.” [Emphasis added.]
He gave the game away.
In the clip below, convention attendees erupt in cheers as Makled’s nomination was announced, an indication of the extent of the Democratic Party’s slide into antisemitism. Makled’s victory raises serious concerns about the party’s priorities and direction.
Following the late-night vote, Jesse Arm, the vice president of external affairs at The Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, issued a stark warning to Michigan Democrats:
Let this be a wake-up call for self-respecting Jewish Democrats, especially those from my home state of Michigan, and any other Democrats who would prefer their party not descend into the depths of full-blown Islamoleftism: you are losing your fight.
More:
https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/04/michigan-dems-oust-jewish-um-regent-eagerly-nominate-pro-hezbollah-candidate/
