The knives came out in Washington this week — not for any foreign threat, but for Vice President J.D. Vance, who asked whether American lives and resources should be committed to another overseas strike without a clear case made to the people.
Vance’s comments were part of a private Signal group chat involving top national security officials. While ultimately agreeing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to strike Houthi targets in Yemen, Vance urged caution, raising concerns about economic fallout and the lack of messaging to justify action.
This morning, @JoshKraushaar ran a hit piece against me in Jewish Insider, which has become an anti-JD rag. It has many problems, including seven anonymous quotes from cowardly Republicans.
But the most glaring factual error is the below, which says the Houthis killed three… pic.twitter.com/kzbzrqjIYC
— JD Vance (@JDVance) March 27, 2025
His push for clarity and restraint was too much for some Senate Republicans, who turned to Jewish Insider to anonymously attack him. The outlet ran their quotes under the claim that Vance’s worldview could alter the party’s foreign policy direction.
Ned Ryun called the backlash predictable. “Some people clearly haven’t gotten the memo,” he said, adding that the America First movement rejects reckless nation building and wants force used only when it aligns with national interest.
Donald Trump Jr. ridiculed the senators for attacking from the shadows. “These seven cowardly neocons… are a dying breed,” he said, noting they lacked the courage to speak openly.
The Jewish Insider article included a key factual error — falsely linking the Houthis to a January attack that killed U.S. troops. After Vance highlighted the mistake on social media, the outlet issued a correction.
Even as critics whisper behind closed doors, some Republicans acknowledged the value of debate. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) said it was the vice president’s job to raise questions. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) agreed, saying the ability to have private discussions was key to reaching good decisions.
As the foreign policy divide inside the GOP becomes more visible, Vance continues to stand by a simple principle: America should think before it acts — and always act in its own interest.
