Sunday shows preview: Battle rages in Middle East; House still lacking Speaker

The ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas and an anticipated election of a new House Speaker are likely to be the focus of this week’s Sunday news shows.

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) launched a deadly and destructive counteroffensive in Gaza this week, after Hamas entered the country on Oct. 7 in a surprise attack.

More than 2,800 people have been killed on both sides in war so far and the Biden administration has confirmed that at least 27 Americans were killed.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will making the rounds this Sunday with appearances on ABC’s “This Week,” NBC’s “Meet the Press,” CBS’s “Face the Nation,” and CNN’s “State of the Union.”

On Friday, the IDF ordered 1 million residents in Gaza City to evacuate within 24 hours for a potential ground operation. IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, who will join ABC’s “This Week,” previously said the Israeli military was trying to do the right thing by telling residents to evacuate before conducting raids.

Another IDF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, will join “Fox News Sunday.”

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, who confirmed earlier this week that the Biden administration would charter flights to Israel to bring American citizens and their families back to the U.S., will also join Fox News on Sunday. The first charter flight was sent out on Friday.

In Washington, the House is still paralyzed without an official Speaker following the historic ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy just 10 days ago.

In a secret ballot vote Friday, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) was chosen as the GOP nominee. Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) originally secured the vote, but dropped out a day later when it became clear he couldn’t garner the 217 votes needed to win the gavel.

Jordan is still attempting to earn votes from the House GOP and needs 217 votes to clinch the gavel. He could go up against Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) — unanimously chosen by Democrats — on the House floor as early as Monday. Jeffries will make an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Lawmakers recessed for the weekend following Jordan’s victory.

But, until a Speaker is elected, all legislative business — including potentially passing an emergency aid package for Israel — is halted.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and former House Republican Committee Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) will be featured in CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday.

Turner is an outspoken advocate for Israel’s right to defend itself and has condemned Hamas for the attack.

Cheney, who was ousted from her leadership position in 2021 after calling out former President Trump’s election fraud claims, has criticized Republicans for choosing Jordan to replace McCarthy.

She posted online that Jordan “was involved in Trump’s conspiracy to steal the election.” She said Friday that if Republicans nominate Jordan, they are abandoning the Constitution and will lose the House majority “and they’ll deserve to.”

Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake (R) is also expected to join Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Features,” after she announced her bid earlier this week.

Several GOP presidential hopefuls are also expected to make appearances on shows this weekend.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) is scheduled to join CBS and former Gov. Nikki Haley (R-S.C.), who previously served as the U.S. Ambassador for the United Nations, is slated to appear on CNN.

Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this week’s Sunday talk shows:

ABC’s “This Week” – White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan; IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus.

NBC’s “Meet the Press” – White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.); Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

CBS’ “Face the Nation” ­– White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan; Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis; Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio); former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.); retired commander of U.S. Central Command Frank McKenzie.

CNN’s “State of the Union” – White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan; Republican presidential candidate and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley; Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog; Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).

“Fox News Sunday” – National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby; Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.); IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner; former Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.).

Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures” – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas); Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; Exiled Iranian Reza Pahlavi; Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake (R).