Michigan Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson has ignited a firestorm of controversy by appointing a known Nation of Islam leader, Marcus Muhammad, to her gubernatorial transition team. This shocking move comes despite Muhammad's well-documented history of promoting antisemitic rhetoric and staunchly defending the Nation of Islam's radical figurehead, Louis Farrakhan.
The decision to include Muhammad, the Mayor of Benton Harbor, on Benson's 15-member council raises immediate questions about judgment and accountability. This isn't a new revelation; an antisemitism coalition had already removed Muhammad from an advisory panel mere months ago due to these very affiliations.
Muhammad, a "student minister" in the Nation of Islam and a self-described disciple of Farrakhan, has publicly amplified the hateful views of his mentor. Farrakhan, infamously, has labeled Jews "termites" and even praised Adolf Hitler as "a great man." This is not merely a difference of opinion; it is a clear embrace of extremist, anti-American ideology.
The gravity of Muhammad's history led the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), a coalition of nearly 700 organizations, to explicitly remove him from its mayoral advisory committee last summer. A CAM spokesperson made it clear: “CAM was recently made aware of positions and affiliations held by Mayor Muhammad that are inconsistent with CAM’s mission. As a result, CAM decided he will no longer serve on the board, and he was notified accordingly.” The organization further stressed that it “will collaborate with no one who legitimizes” the Nation of Islam, citing its “notorious record of antisemitism.”
Yet, Benson pressed forward with this appointment. Muhammad’s own words betray his radical leanings. In July 2020, after Farrakhan chillingly referred to Jews collectively as “the Satan,” 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.”
His rhetoric continues. In a May podcast interview, Muhammad repeatedly invoked “the enemy” while discussing alleged malign influence of pro-Israel interests, stating, “They have the muscle, they have the money, they have power, they have influence.” He has also promoted Nation of Islam literature falsely claiming Jewish central roles in the transatlantic slave trade, and even twisted the horrific Kristallnacht pogrom to describe alleged attacks on Black Muslim businesses.
Perhaps most disturbing, Muhammad has actively promoted the Nation of Islam’s “Muslim Program,” an agenda that explicitly calls for racial segregation and prohibits “intermarriage or race mixing.” He shamelessly described this program as the “ultimate solution” to America’s “race problem.” Such views are antithetical to American values of equality and freedom.
Muhammad’s ties to Farrakhan are deep and personal. He credits Farrakhan with launching his political career, stating that the Nation of Islam leader encouraged his mayoral run and pledged to “put the whole Nation behind” his campaign. Farrakhan even advised Muhammad in 2019 to reject an invitation to visit Israel as part of a peace mission – an echo of anti-Israel sentiments often found within the Nation of Islam.
Even more concerning is Governor-elect Benson’s continued and deliberate relationship with Muhammad despite these controversies. The two describe themselves as longtime friends, with Muhammad claiming their relationship developed “outside of politics.” Benson publicly thanked him during her primary victory speech, featured his endorsement on her campaign website, and even spoke at a Juneteenth prayer breakfast he hosted. This is not ignorance; it is an active embrace.
This appointment sends a chilling message to the people of Michigan and raises serious doubts about Benson’s judgment and leadership. In a politically competitive state with a significant Jewish population, legitimizing an organization with such a hateful, divisive, and anti-American record is a dangerous precedent. It's a stark reminder that some within the Democrat party seem willing to overlook radicalism for political expediency, undermining public trust and American values at every turn.
