The intra-GOP fight over Israel's strikes on Iran

• Major MAGA figures from Tucker Carlson to Charlie Kirk to Jack Posobiec tried for months to rally the Trump base against the U.S. backing direct attacks on Iran.
• Non-interventionism is a core pillar of the "America First" movement — arguably as important to the MAGA base as immigration and trade.
• But elected Republicans' public support of Israel's action indicates the more traditional national security hawks still have some ground to stand on, for now.

What they're saying: "Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to 'make a deal.' They should have done it," Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday.

• Israeli officials told Axios that despite the administration's official distancing from the strikes, the U.S. had given Israel the green light.
• "The United States Senate stands ready to work with President Trump and with our allies in Israel to restore peace in the region and, first and foremost, to defend the American people from Iranian aggression," Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said in a statement.
• "Israel decided it needed to take action to defend itself. They were clearly within their right to do so," Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said.

What we're hearing: Top GOP congressional staffers told Axios the limits of the MAGA isolationists' influence — particularly with lawmakers — is clear.

• One chief of staff described the online personalities as "in a bubble," arguing they have almost no real influence on Capitol Hill.
• Another said they felt that when it comes to Israel, most Republicans are not all that in line with voices like Carlson.
• One aide argued that Trump is not all that different than in his first term, when he took out Qasem Soleimani or ordered strikes on Syria in response to a chemical weapons attack — despite new voices in his inner circle.
• Standing with allies is foreign policy 101, said another, calling it "remarkable" how some in the administration's isolationist wing pretend otherwise.

What to watch: Some Republicans are taking it a step further than approval of Israeli actions, encouraging more direct U.S. involvement while not yet advocating for troops on the ground.

• "Again, I applaud President Trump for urging Iran back to the negotiating table," Sen Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) posted on X on Friday. "However, if Iran refuses this offer, I strongly believe it is in America's national security interest to go all-in to help Israel finish the job."

• "President Donald J. Trump does not bluff. If the Iranians attack Americans — there will be hell to pay," Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), a close Trump ally, posted.

Between the lines: The MAGAverse's influence could have been diluted by its own division over the issue of Israel and Iran.

• Some in MAGA, led by older voters and evangelicals, want to continue Washington's historic Israel bearhug even while avoiding other foreign entanglements.
• Others don't have such an Israel-sized carveout in their non-interventionist instincts. A slice of MAGA promoting antisemitism is openly hostile to the country.

The bottom line: Those divisions were on full display Friday.

• "How is it not AMERICA FIRST to congratulate those who just made sure Islamists who chant 'DEATH TO AMERICA' and who openly plotted to assassinate President Trump never have an opportunity to have a nuke?" right-wing provocateur Laura Loomer posted on X.
• "They should be Israel first. But we have to be America first," Steve Bannon said on his "War Room" podcast Friday. "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."