Israel's significant strikes on Iran caused a rift in the GOP between the isolationist MAGA wing and more hawkish Republicans, according to a new report.
Israel's attack Thursday on Iran, known as "Operation Rising Lion," has been widely regarded as a significant tactical and operational success. The strikes damaged Iran's nuclear program and decimated its military leadership. Iran has begun retaliatory strikes, though Israel has downplayed their effectiveness.
While the U.S. has maintained it played no part in assisting Israel with the attack, Axios reported Friday afternoon that MAGA world is split over the United States' role.
"Some Hill Republicans view the past 24 hours as a battle lost for MAGA's isolationist camp," the report said, noting that top Republicans on Capitol Hill are supporting Israel's strikes — and potentially U.S. involvement — despite MAGA media personalities urging against as such for months. That included Tucker Carlson, who on Friday slammed former Fox colleagues, including Sean Hannity, as "warmongerers."
Republicans who've applauded the strikes include Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who tweeted, "Game on. Pray for Israel," and praised the operation as "one of the most impressive military strikes and covert operations in Israeli history."
He warned if Iran "refuses" Trump's offer, "I strongly believe it is in America's national security interest to go all-in to help Israel finish the job."
Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, defended Israel's operation, saying, “We stand with Israel tonight and pray for the safety of its people and the success of this unilateral, defensive action.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said in a statement Thursday night, “For too long, the mullahs in Iran have publicly aspired to wipe the only democracy in the Middle East off the face of the map via any means possible: funding and arming terror groups on Israel’s borders, choking off international sea lanes, and multiple barrages of missiles and drones."
"President Donald J. Trump does not bluff. If the Iranians attack Americans— there will be hell to pay," wrote Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) on X.
GOP congressional staffers told Axios that MAGA isolationists' influence with lawmakers is clear, with one chief of staff describing MAGA influencers as "in a bubble" with almost no influence on GOP lawmakers. Another said most Republicans aren't aligned with Carlson.
Axios noted MAGA divisions were on "full display," as far-right podcaster Laura Loomer questioned how it's "not AMERICA FIRST to congratulate Israel on its attack on "Islamists who chant 'DEATH TO AMERICA' and who openly plotted to assassinate President @realDonaldTrump never have an opportunity to have a nuke?"
Meanwhile, fellow Trump ally Steve Bannon — fresh off his win to get Elon Musk booted from the White House — took a different stance.
"They should be Israel first. But we have to be America first," Bannon said on his "War Room" podcast Friday, according to the report. "The bottom line is, we cannot be inexorably dragged into a war on the Eurasian land mass or in the Middle East or in Eastern Europe."
