Similarly, Pete Hegseth, nominated as Defense Secretary, has made inflammatory statements in the past that align with a worldview dismissive of Muslim concerns. A frequent Fox News commentator, Hegseth has downplayed the plight of Muslims in war-torn regions and has vocally supported U.S. military interventions that disproportionately affect Muslim-majority countries.
Mike Waltz, Trump’s pick for National Security Adviser, is another figure with a hawkish stance that could alarm Muslims worldwide. Waltz’s rhetoric around a “woke military” belies his aggressive foreign policy agenda, particularly toward China and the Middle East. His leadership could see an escalation of policies that prioritize military dominance over diplomatic solutions.
The Muslim Vote: What Did It Achieve?
Muslim voters turned out in significant numbers during the 2024 election, many driven by hopes of influencing the political discourse on key issues such as the Palestinian cause, Islamophobia, and domestic policies affecting minority communities. While Trump did attract some support from Arab Americans, particularly in Michigan, due to his anti-war rhetoric and promises to achieve peace in Gaza, the broader Muslim electorate largely sought to challenge the normalization of Islamophobic policies and pro-Israel bias seen during Trump’s first term.
However, the appointments to Trump’s second-term administration suggest a grim reality: the Muslim vote, while impactful in raising awareness and rallying communities, appears to have had limited influence in reshaping the policies and attitudes of a Trump-led government. Figures like Huckabee and Miller, with histories of direct antagonism toward Muslim-majority nations and causes, underscore the administration’s continuity of its first-term priorities.
This outcome highlights the importance of sustained engagement beyond election cycles. While voting is a critical tool, Muslims in America and worldwide must invest in broader strategies – grassroots organizing, lobbying, and media advocacy – to ensure their voices resonate more powerfully in the corridors of power.
“Peace Through Power” or Strategic Amnesia?
For Trump, Gaza’s genocide is a problem to be solved swiftly, but his methods may leave little room for subtlety or remembrance. His administration’s rhetoric of “peace through power” risks overshadowing the atrocities committed and the trauma endured by Gaza’s residents. Will the world remember the bloodshed, or will it accept a narrative that glosses over the suffering in favor of alliances and economic deals?
The danger of political amnesia looms large. Huckabee’s statements and policies suggest an administration unwilling to acknowledge Palestinian suffering. His past remarks – referring to settlements as “neighborhoods” and dismissing international law – underscore a disregard for the humanitarian cost of Israel’s actions. For Muslims, this approach represents not just a failure of diplomacy but a betrayal of justice.
The Final Curtain?
As Trump’s second term begins, the global Muslim community faces a critical moment. The genocide in Gaza and the broader marginalization of Muslims risk being swept under the rug in the name of political expediency. Figures like Huckabee, Miller, and Stefanik embody an administration that prioritizes alliances with Israel and domestic policies that marginalize Muslims.
Trump’s vision of “peace through power” is likely to end wars, but at what cost? For Muslims, the scars of conflict and the legacy of injustice cannot simply be forgotten. The Muslim vote, while a key expression of agency, underscores the need for deeper, sustained efforts to combat Islamophobia and uphold justice for all.
As the world watches Trump’s plans unfold, Muslims must grapple with a dual challenge: to remember and honor the suffering endured while continuing to demand accountability and justice. Only then can the legacy of this era be one of resilience rather than amnesia.
