Personnel. Were taking steps to make sure we can defend our people and respond decisively if we need to. This is not what we want, not what were looking for. We dont want an escalation. We dont want to see a second or third front develop. We dont want to see our personnel come under fire, but if that happens, were ready for it. Thats Secretary Of State Antony Blinken on the expected provocation from iran connected to the israel hamas war. It comes as Israel Defense forces are expanding significantly. Air strikes in gaza. Well get the live report from israel straight ahead. Plus an update on the hostages still being held by hamas after the Terrorist Group did release two americans on friday. And also coming up, well go through the nine republicans now running to be House Speaker following jim jordans failed bid to lead the lower chamber. Good morning and welcome to Way Too Early on this monday, october 23rd. Im jonathan lemire. Thanks for starting your day and week with us. And well beg
We need to. This is not what we want, not what were looking for. We dont want escalation. Is we dont want a second or third front develop. We dont want to see our forces or our personnel come under fire, but if that happens, were ready for it. Secretary of state Antony Blinken making it clear, the United States will respond to any provocation from iran connected to the israelhamas war. It comes as Israels Defense Forces are expanding air strikes in gaza. Well get the latest with a live report from israel straight ahead. Plus, new reporting on how President Biden and other u. S. Officials helped delay the Ground Invasion of the territory. Also ahead, well dig into the republicanled dysfunction on capitol hill. There are now several candidates hoping to become House Speaker after jim jordans failed bid. And well get you expert legal analysis on Donald Trumps violation of the gag order in his Civil Fraud Trial, as well as another new guilty plea deal from one of his codefendants in the ge
Tem Patrick Mchenry which we have been talking about for a couple of days now is now dead, according to multiple gop lawmakers who have spoken to nbc news, like Kevin Mccarthy and Steve Scalise, the option did not have enough votes. Today in their socalled family meeting, the room got so emotional, matt gaetz confirmed that mccarthy started yelling at him, and Punchbowl News reports another lawmaker nearly lunged at him. Passions are a little inflamed. I think hes working through the stages of grief. Did Congressman Boss Lunge at you at well . I think he was pretty animated. I dont know if i would describe it as a lunge. I said that i thought having speaker light was a bad idea. I think republicans ought to stay in our conference until we elect a speaker. We have a lot of great folks, im supporting jim jordan. That will be how it goes. Joining us now, nbc news capitol hill Correspondent Ali Vitali and Punchbowl News cofounder and political contributor, jake sherman. Ali, what is going
Together at the u. N. General assembly discussing plans to improve relations between israel and arab neighbors. Dana today israel is at war with hamas and the region is raging with anger and violence. Protest underway now near the u. S. Embassy in beirut. Demonstrators setting a guard house at the embassy on fire and the u. S. Military intercepting two drones targeting troops in iraq. Gillian while the ground President Biden making it very clear the u. S. Stands shoulder to shoulder with israel. President biden i want you to know you are not alone. You are not alone. As i emphasized earlier, we will continue to have israels back as you work to defend your people. Dana rich edson at the pentagon. Lets go to mike tobin live in Southern Israel. How are things where you are today, mike . Dana, despite all the rage in the region, the activity here at the gaza strip has been kind of light. The rocket fire coming out of gaza has been light relative to previous days. We saw an air strike go in
welcome back to morning joe. it s monday, october 23rd. how was your weekend s? it was great. in denver, we had so much fun. excited about monday, october 30th. sold out. that s in new york city? yeah. we re trying to figure out a way to fit more people in. it s going to be fantastic. with us, mark halperin. he s going to start it out singing god bless america . i m going to anchor the overflow room. you re hired and you have a role. the punching bag. harold ford junior is with us, richard haas, steve rattner, and joining the conversation, we found him, there s eugene robinson. also with us robert costa.