Some personal news: I'm thrilled to be joining the JI team on Monday!

New from me: Georgetown Law’s Student Bar Association passed a resolution this week condemning a Jewish attorney on Sen. Ted Cruz’s staff and accusing her of Islamophobia after she appeared on campus to discuss the Muslim Brotherhood and her work representing victims of terrorism. Erielle Azerrad, Cruz's deputy chief counsel, spoke to students about the Brotherhood’s origins and how the group had expanded its operations in the US. She also noted the Muslim Students Association’s ties to the Brotherhood, though she disputed that such ties meant all Muslim students, or even all MSA members, were connected to the terrorist group. The resolution accused Azerrad of promoting "Islamophobic beliefs and conspiracy theories" at the event and having a "well-documented record of false, bigoted, and harmful anti-Muslim rhetoric." Full story for @jewishinsider here: jewishinsider.com/2026/10/ge…

#SCSEN: Ralph Norman's son announces he won't vote for Darline Graham and is "leaning" toward Annie Andrews. "It will be the first time in my life I’ve voted for a Democrat in a partisan election." fitsnews.com/2026/10/23/fits…

Sen. Darline Graham is traveling back to DC with President Trump tonight on Air Force One.

NEWS — AIPAC is preparing to spend big for Mike Rogers in Michigan. AIPAC plans to send up to $9 million to the Rogers super PAC, potentially reigniting a clash with Abdul El-Sayed. Scoop with @jennymedina nytimes.com/2026/10/21/us/po…

The State Department says it issued departure orders for non-emergency US gov employees and their family members “in Saudi Arabia only.”

SCOOP: AIPAC will no longer endorse congressional candidates or earmark donations to congressional campaigns. The group's super PAC, United Democracy Project, will continue to operate and it will urge members to donate directly to pro-Israel candidates. jewishinsider.com/2026/10/ai…

🚨 Massive scoop from @marcrod97: AIPAC to end candidate endorsements, PAC contributions to allies "The decision is a striking turnabout just five years after the group first launched its PAC and super PAC and began directly endorsing and fundraising for candidates. The United Democracy Project super PAC, which launched alongside AIPAC’s PAC in 2021 and has spent tens of millions across numerous races, will continue its engagement." Full @jewishinsider story here: jewishinsider.com/2026/10/ai…

In a new interview, Ralph Norman says he'll stick with his promise to support Darline Graham as the #SCSEN GOP nominee — but: “My family is not going to vote for Darline Graham. They’re just not." And: "No, I would not do an event with her, and I made that pretty clear." iheart.com/podcast/1248-the-…

SCOOP | Chabad holding 250 menorah lightings in all 50 states to commemorate Chanukah, America’s 250th birthday, @emilyfjacobs reports ji.news/5p6x8

There is a very real chance RHOA alum Phaedra Parks is who Keisha Lance Bottoms is quoting here. (Phaedra and KLB are longtime friends, and getting into the funeral home business was an early part of Phaedra's housewives storyline.)

Rep. James Clyburn calls President Trump's sanctions waivers for Russia "an insult to Sen. Lindsey Graham’s memory and legacy."

Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order implementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 and used that authority to fully waive the duties and most of the sanctions provisions. The order sets the tariff increases up to 500%, then waives them, so as written no new duties take effect. It also waives sections 102(a), 102(d), 102(e), 103 through 111 and 117. Section 102(d) codifies existing Russia sanctions. The order says the existing sanctions under earlier executive orders still apply. The order does not list section 102(b), which legal experts describe as directing a review of specified persons and vessels and sanctions on those who meet criteria, such as senior Russian officials. The waivers have no end date and last until the president or secretary of state decides further action is appropriate. The order directs the U.S. Trade Representative to monitor Russian energy purchases and sanctions evasion and to report on anything that might call for action on the waivers. Source: whitehouse.gov/presidential-…

I asked Graham for her reaction to Trump‘s decision to waive sanctions on Russia, despite signing a sanctions bill last month that was named for her brother. Graham said she disagreed with the president and planned to talk with him when he’s in SC campaigning for her next week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posts tribute to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham after President Trump announces waivers on tariffs & sanctions against Russia. The penalties were implemented just under a month ago, when POTUS signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act into law.

“I just don't know how he did it,” Graham says of her late brother Lindsey Graham. “He was just absolutely amazing, and I'll never be able to replace him. But I tell you one thing: I'm gonna work my ass off to do it.”

Asked how he would have answered if Iran or Israel is a bigger threat the the US, Buttigieg tells Fox News: “Iran is our enemy, Israel is not. They’re an ally so that’s pretty clear to me.”

SCOOP: President Trump is finalizing plans to rally with Sen. Darline Graham on Oct. 21 in Greenville, S.C., sources tell me & @jake__traylor. Ralph Norman carried Greenville in the primary. The rally comes as the #SCsen race grows unexpectedly close. ms.now/news/trump-rally-sout…

Trump WH sends mixed signals over response to European sanctions against Israeli settlements, @mattsheareports and @emilyfjacobs report ji.news/5n7ed

Aight. I bit the bullet and am now officially on Substack. Here's my thoughts about the whole affair and what comes next. Please consider subscribing. Link below.

Eric is, without question, one of the best journalists in Washington. Any outlet would be lucky to have him. Just a few weeks ago in the halls, I saw Sen. Katie Britt tell Eric how much she respects his reporting and his professionalism. He is the real deal.