Moolenaar, Michigan GOP Delegation Urge Trump Admin to Stop Terrorist Speaker in Detroit

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar led the Michigan Republican congressional delegation in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to prevent convicted criminal and founder of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade terrorist organization, Hussam Shaheen, from speaking at the People’s Conference for Palestine in Detroit. In another letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the delegation requested the Department of Justice investigate the People’s Conference for Palestine's and their speakers' connections to federally designated terrorist organizations, like the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade.  

On Tuesday, the conference organizers announced Shaheen as a featured speaker at the event on social media. In 2004, Shaheen was convicted of attempted murder and allegedly planned an aborted terrorist attack on Jerusalem. He was released on February 1, 2025 in a prisoner swap in exchange for hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 terrorist attack. 

"While organizers claim it is “designed to address the current political moment and to bring together critical voices,” this event and those like it are platforms for inciting violence and anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitic attacks are at a record high and have increased dramatically since Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack in Israel. Our nation is under no obligation to allow those connected with terror groups to enter the U.S. and endanger our communities In light of these concerns, we urge your Department to deny any travel visas to any such person traveling into the U.S. for this event," the lawmakers wrote to Secretary Rubio. 

In their letter to AG Bondi, they wrote, "Freedom of speech has always been a cornerstone of our nation. However, allowing officials with ties to federally designated terrorist organizations, such as Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, to spew their hatred of America and our closest ally, Israel, raises significant concerns as to the safety of our communities. In light of these concerns, we request your Department to investigate to the fullest extent of the law any connections to terrorist organizations of those affiliated with the People’s Conference for Palestine and their invited guests." 

The letters were signed by Reps. John Moolenaar, Jack Bergman, Bill Huizenga, Tim Walberg, Tom Barrett, Lisa McClain and John James. 

The full text of the letter to Secretary Rubio can be found here. The text of the letter to Attorney General Bondi can be found here.