President Joe Biden arrives at Miami International Airport Tuesday, Jan....

President Joe Biden arrives at Miami International Airport Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Miami. Biden will attend a fundraiser while in Miami. Credit: AP/Evan Vucci

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will visit Michigan on Thursday as he rallies support from union members in a key battleground state where he's faced sharp criticism from Arab and Muslim leaders over his handling of the war in Gaza.

The upcoming travel was disclosed by a Biden campaign official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of a trip that had not been formally announced.

The Democratic president plans to meet with members of the United Auto Workers, which endorsed Biden last week during an event in Washington. Biden previously joined union members on their picket line in Michigan when they were striking for better pay from the country's largest automakers.

“I’m honored to have your back and you have mine,” Biden said. Shawn Fain, the union president, said that Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee, “doesn’t care about the American worker.”

Biden won Michigan in 2020, but a repeat victory has been thrown in doubt, partially because of anger over his support for Israel's military operation in Gaza. Some Arab American leaders declined to attend a meeting with Biden’s campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, on Friday.

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship. Credit: Newsday

Sarra Sounds Off Ep 36: Champs crowned in lax and flag football On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship.

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship. Credit: Newsday

Sarra Sounds Off Ep 36: Champs crowned in lax and flag football On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship.

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