Sunday Shows Preview: Biden’s threat to halt weapons to Israel sparks GOP outrage
President Biden’s declaration this week, warning Israel that if it invades Rafah the United States will not supply it with weapons, sparked outrage with the Republican Party, which will likely be the focus of this week’s Sunday talk shows.
In an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett on Wednesday, Biden said if the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue with their planned invasion of Rafah, the southern Gaza city where hundreds of thousands of people are taking refuge, he would stop supplying offensive weapons like bombs and artillery shells.
The war, and Biden’s warning, has splintered Congress. Republicans accused Biden of abandoning Israel with his latest moves, which are his most dramatic since the start of the war.
The Biden administration delivered a report to Congress late Friday, which determined it was “reasonable to assess” that Israel had violated international humanitarian law in its war in Gaza.
Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen (Md.) said the review was “woefully inadequate.” He said if Israel’s conduct complies with international standards, it would “set a very low bar for the rules of war.”
Van Hollen is set to join CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, where he will likely discuss the administration’s growing concern for Israel’s actions.
On the other side of the aisle, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) slammed Biden’s threat, saying it could ruin potential stability in the Middle East. He said he trusts Israel more than Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Graham will appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he will likely speak about his years-long efforts for Saudi Arabia and Israel to negotiate and Biden’s warning.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) laid into Biden, calling him part of the “pro-Hamas group” and saying the warning is “disgusting. Scott is set to appear on “Fox News Sunday,”
In the House, Biden’s message has drawn even more criticism. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), along with House Armed Services Chair Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), said in a statement that they were “appalled” the administration would pause “crucial arms shipments to Israel.”
McCaul is set to join ABC’s “This Week” where he’ll likely expand on his statement.
Here’s the full list of appearances on this week’s Sunday shows:
ABC’s “This Week” — Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.); Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas).
NBC’s “Meet the Press” —Secretary of State Antony Blinken; Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Blinken; Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
CNN’s “State of the Union” — Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and JD Vance (R-Ohio); Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell.
“Fox News Sunday” — Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.); Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.); Rachel Goldberg, the mother of an Israeli American hostage taken by Hamas.
Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” — Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah); Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.); former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.); Arizona GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake.
NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday with Chris Stirewalt” — Reps. Steve Horsford (D-Nev.) and Michael Waltz (R-Fla.).
NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.