Joe Scarborough: Tying Israel aid to IRS cuts is ‘gross’

MSNBC host Joe Scarborough blasted newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for tying Israel aid to IRS funding cuts, saying that it could further risk the lives of Israelis because the measure will not pass.

“Mike Johnson and Donald Trump gave America in debt and now suddenly, he won’t even help Jews protect themselves,” Scarborough said on “Morning Joe” on Tuesday. “It is so gross. And making it even grosser, he says: ‘Here’s what we’re going to do: We will protect the Jews if you protect the billionaires.’”

House Republicans released a $14.3 billion aid package for Israel on Monday that includes $14.3 billion in cuts to funding for the IRS — a key detail that Democrats will likely not be on board with. Democrats accused Johnson of playing “political games” with the aid package, with some arguing that It could set a “dangerous precedent.”

The White House also ripped the proposal, which it said “could have devastating implications for our safety and alliances in the years ahead.” 

“Politicizing our national security interests is a nonstarter,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

Scarborough argued that since this legislation will not be approved by Democrats, it will further endanger the lives of Jewish people in Israel. Israel has launched a war against Hamas after the militant group carried out a deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S.

“I’ve never truly heard of a dumber plan to start a Speakership than to put Jews’ life in danger so you can protect billionaire tax cheats,” Scarborough said. “And he knows — he knows this is never going to pass, because they’re not going to let billionaires continue to cheat on their taxes. He knows this. And yet, that’s what he said.”

Scarborough continued to mock Johnson for the legislation, saying the Speaker suggested the GOP will “let Democrats protect the Jews, but you’ve got to let us Republicans protect billionaire tax cheats.” The MSNBC host added that the whole bill is “just so grotesque.”

The GOP-backed aid package goes against President Biden’s previous $105 billion supplemental funding request to Congress that included aid for Israel, Ukraine, security operations at the U.S.-Mexico border and allies in the Indo-Pacific.

The House Rules Committee is slated to take up the GOP legislation Wednesday.