Trump directs Vance away from Iran negotiations, toward domestic issues

Van Hollen eyes bid to chuck Chuck

This Daily Kickoff explores controversies surrounding political hires, evolving Senate committee leadership, Democratic internal divisions, and the latest updates on Israel-related policy and global events.

Van Hollen's possible bid to oust Schumer spotlights Democratic rift over Israel

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), a strident critic of the U.S.-Israel relationship, is mulling a bid to challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for the role of majority leader in the next Congress —&nbsp;a move that, at this point, seems unlikely to succeed. Van Hollen told reporters on Tuesday he is “actively listening to... <a href="">Read More</a>

Eisenkot warns Netanyahu against launching war during coalition talks

Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that starting a major security operation while coalition talks are ongoing would violate the public’s trust, and sought to compel Netanyahu to brief him on national security. Eisenkot sent Netanyahu a letter on Wednesday demanding that he “act with national responsibility at this sensitive time.... <a href="https://jewishinsider.com/2026/11/gop-senators-reject-vances-iran-war-blame/">Read More</a>

Ex-Heritage aide behind Tucker Carlson video to lead new GOP recruiting group

A new organization aimed at replacing some of the Republican Party’s older, more moderate lawmakers in the House with a slate of young conservative populists launched this week, with one of the faces of a right-wing controversy at the helm.&nbsp; The group, American Ascent, is being run by Ryan Neuhaus, the former chief of staff... <a href="">Read More</a>

Brad Lander’s ‘self-identified communist’ comms director: Wealthy Jews acting as vulnerable minority ‘make me sick’

Rep.-elect Brad Lander’s (D-NY) new communications director is a “publicly self-identified communist,” who has denied Israel’s right to exist and equated the slogan “Am Yisrael Chai” — a Hebrew phrase meaning “the people of Israel live” — with “globalize the intifada,” and called for the abolition of all national borders. News that Jesse Myerson would become the incoming congressman’s messaging chief was first reported on Tuesday in Politico New York’s morning newsletter. The outlet highlighted Myerson’s past work for politicians involved in the Democratic Socialists of America, though not his short stint at the failed DSA-tied advocacy group Our Time or... <a href="">Read More</a>