There's some concern in the Jewish community about the nominations of (now former) Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) to Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence, respectively.
Gaetz has generally been pro-Israel but has a couple of odd votes in his record. He also brought a guy named Charles Johnson to the State of the Union. I used to know Charles before he drifted to the fringe. Let's say it was an odd decision.
Tulsi is not anti-Israel or antisemitic (at all) but her somewhat isolationist views have placed her in the company of those who are, at times, anti-Israel. I would put that down to being a former left-wing Democrat rather than anything else.
In evaluating these choices, purely on the issues of interest to the Jewish community, I'd say that you have to look first of all at Trump's other nominees, who are all pro-Jewish/Israel (just check out Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon).
Second, I don't think Gaetz or Gabbard have particularly strong views on Israel -- that is, it's not an obsession for them, in the way that the issue is for people who are truly anti- or pro-Israel. They are more concerned about other things.
Third, Tulsi is skeptical of foreign wars and aid. I think this is fine, especially as Israel is in a position to wind down its wars and there is a healthy debate about how it can wean itself from American aid. I'm not concerned about her at all.
My main concern with Gaetz is about his judgment. He waged war against the conservative Speaker of the House for no real purpose. He's put politics and personal interest above a common cause. And he's made lots of enemies.
That's not to say he wouldn't be the right guy for the job at Justice, if the primary purpose of his appointment would be to clean out the anti-Trump "deep state" veterans. But I'm not sure he's the right guy for the rest of it.
So, overall: I'm not worried. I have my doubts about Gaetz as Attorney General but not on the particular issues of interest to Jewish and pro-Israel Americans. I'm more concerned about the general stuff. We'll just see how it all shakes out.
This week, we are tackling two major areas of contention between the Trump administration and Democrat governors: fighting crime, and redistricting. The president is sending the National Guard to blue cities -- and blue states are trying to stamp out Republican representation. Is this a civil war situation?
Special guests:
- Bradley Jaye -- Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on redistricting
- Tom Manza, California Business and Industrial Alliance, on Gavin Newsom
- Jon Fleischman, veteran California political expert, on the special election
- Dan Backer, veteran political lawyer and consultant, on corruption
- DJ Mark Anthony, on a recent visit to Rome and visiting Pope Leo XIV
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET / 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This week's portion is the last of the month of Av -- also known as Menachem (Comforter) Av -- which begins in mourning and ends in celebration and anticipation of the New Year and the process of repentance and renewal.
In a similar vein, the portion features Moses offering the Israelites a choice between a blessing and a curse. They are masters of their own fates: if they obey God's commandments, they receive the blessings -- and vice versa.
The key commandment is to reject idol worship. There is said to be something magnetic about the practice of worshiping idols in the new land, such that it would be constant moral battle, both individually and collectively, in the land.
Nowadays, according to Jewish tradition, humanity has lost the urge for idol worship (and the antidote, which is divine prophecy) -- but there are several near substitutes, such as lust or excessive appetites for worldly pleasures.
We are wired for compulsive behaviors, bad habits, and even addictions. These ...
We have so much to talk about this week -- Trump's efforts to negotiate peace through negotiation, and Gavin Newsom's efforts to divide Americans through gerrymandering. We'll also talk about Playboy leaving LA and California.
Special guests:
Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Russia & Ukraine
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on Newsom
Harmeet Dhillon - DOJ Civil Rights Division chief, on the fight against DEI
Jessica Vaugn - Playboy model on political commentator, on California
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 PT
Call: 866-957-2874
