Staff Reports
Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed just handed Democrats a strange new talking point: he says he’s willing to team up with President Donald Trump to end the annual U.S. military aid package to Israel. That’s the literal news — a newly elected Democrat saying he would back a move long seen as a cornerstone of bipartisan foreign policy. It deserves a clear-eyed look, not a group hug or a gaslight session about what “working with” actually means.
What El-Sayed actually said
El-Sayed told MSNBC that he doesn’t think the U.S. should “continue to subsidize a foreign military that has done the worst things with our money.” He called for stopping weapons sales and ending roughly $4 billion in annual military aid. That’s a direct challenge to the familiar U.S.-Israel partnership, and it comes while debate over the Gaza war and international scrutiny of Israel is still intense. Saying you’ll work with President Trump to cut off aid is not just rhetoric — it signals a possible shift in votes and alliances in Washington.
A surprising political alliance — and why it matters
Here’s the political oddity: a progressive Democrat publicly lining up with a Republican president to withdraw aid from a longtime U.S. ally. It sounds like a pundit’s fever dream, but it’s real. For conservatives who value strong alliances and a tough stance on Iran and terror, this should set off alarm bells. For Democrats who rely on pro-Israel voters, it’s a reminder that the party’s base is fractured. Politics aside, this is about policy. Ending aid isn’t a stunt you can clean up with a press release — it reshapes how the U.S. projects power and keeps partners safe.
National security and practical consequences
Cutting military aid to Israel would not occur in a vacuum. It risks weakening a key regional ally, emboldening Iran and its proxies, and handing propaganda victories to America’s adversaries. The U.S. has long used foreign military assistance to cement ties, share intelligence, and ensure interoperability of weapons systems. Tossing out that toolbox because of domestic outrage or moral fury — without a credible alternative to preserve deterrence — is reckless. If El-Sayed and any colleagues think weapons sales and assistance are just accounting entries, they should meet the people who would fill the resulting gap.
Bottom line: serious talk, serious stakes
El-Sayed’s willingness to work with President Trump on ending Israel’s annual aid is more than a headline — it’s a policy pivot with big consequences. Voters should pay attention when candidates promise to unravel alliances. If lawmakers want to rethink foreign aid, do it openly and responsibly, with hard answers on how to keep America safe. Grandstanding for applause won’t replace strategy. And for those selling shock value as statesmanship, here’s some free advice: you can be angry and right — but you can’t be reckless and keep the peace.
