NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonight’s 7 p.m. ET show. Subscribe to War Notes here.
Programming alert: Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., joins tonight to talk about Republicans’ upcoming fight over Ukraine aid and the speaker. Is House Speaker Mike Johnson better than the one she voted to oust?
Joe Biden’s Weekend
Biden and his team looked to the weekend with longing:
- The Sunday shows would fill with competing yet helpful narratives
- The Trump trial starting Monday versus Biden’s weeklong Pennsylvania barnstorm
- Poll numbers continue to look better for Biden.
- Republicans would spend Saturday fighting amongst themselves on Capitol Hill over Ukraine aid and their speaker
- Then, Israel bombed Iran
- Now Biden must support Israel, enraging the pro-Hamas types on the Left.
- Biden looks weak because not only did Iran defy his “don’t,” but so did Israel.
- Biden’s team first confirmed the strike and now won’t comment in one of the more bizarre self-inflicted wounds.
- Pro-Hamas groups plan more protests that increasingly call for the destruction of Israel.
- A good weekend just got miserable.
Trump watch: Trump holds a fundraiser and then a rally in North Carolina.
View from Israel
The intrepid Robert Sherman reports tonight from Tel Aviv on how America’s support, or lack thereof, affects the Jewish state.
- As we predicted in War Notes, the Israeli response to Iran’s attack sent an unambiguous message while still maintaining ambiguity.
- Fact check: In a region known for blustery language, Israel’s “speak softly and deliver devastating blows privately” policy works pretty well.
- Message to Tehran: We can hit where and when we want. Next time, we hit your nuke sites. STOP.
Sherman reports most Israelis went about their Friday as usual — in Tel Aviv, they packed the beaches.
How Do the Protests End?
My friend Erick Erickson noted in his newsletter ‘Show Notes,’ “Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the only thing standing between the Palestinian people and a cease-fire is Hamas.”
- Fact check: True
But the protesters filling America’s college campuses, shutting down bridges and airports and taking over highways don’t want Hamas to agree to a cease-fire — they want the destruction of the state of Israel, you know, “From the river to the sea.”
The protests present a danger to Biden’s presidency both from the Left and the Right.
- The more Team Biden talks about the plight of Gazans and demands Israel capitulate to terrorists, the bigger the protests will get.
- The bigger the protests get, the more normal Americans will get scared of people marching around chanting “Death to America.”
More From Erikson: Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., has doubled down on his defense of Israel by reiterating that the posters of Israeli hostages will remain on the walls of his office until they come home. Watch here.
- Pro tip:
- Fetterman represents Pennsylvania.
- He won by understanding what drives working-class voters.
- He’s among the most pro-Israel, anti-Hamas men in Washington, let alone the Democratic Party.
- The White House might want to take note.
Trump Trial
Your thoughts? We’re looking for a fairer and more accurate name than the “Trump Hush Money Trial” because he’s not charged with paying hush money.
- In contention:
- “Trump Business Records Trial”
- “Stormy Daniels Case”
- “Trump Porn Star Case”
- “Trump Accounting Trial”
- Please reply with your thoughts and ideas
Ego vs. ego: Judges are like presidents in that they are (nearly) all-powerful.
- One can look at this trial as the judge’s enormous ego vs. Trump’s enormous ego … buckle up.
- Showdown: The most obvious ego vs. ego clash will come over Judge Juan Merchan’s gag order — by any reasonable measure, Trump keeps violating it.
- Prediction: If Judge Merchan throws Trump in jail for violating the gag order, it will be a little bit like Roe v. Wade.
- Democrats will have caught the car — and then what?
- Trump will become a martyr, and centrists will not like it.
- The stakes are high.
Watch tonight: Jim Trusty, Trump’s former attorney, will discuss his advice for Trump come opening arguments Monday.
- Yes, we will ask the obvious: Has Trump ever taken anyone’s advice?
Tune into “On Balance with Leland Vittert” weeknights at 7/6C on NewsNation. Find your channel here.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation.