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Former Mossad agent Victor Ostrovsky spoke about the how the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, has influenced U.S. policy since 1948. He argued that the agency is damaging Jewish interests in the United States by abusing the long and cordial relations between the U.S. and Israel. After his remarks, he took questions from the audience.

Several senators asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown about the Biden administration and Defense Department pausing a weapons shipment to Israel amid the country’s war against Hamas. Secretary Austin explained that the United States' commitment to Israel’s security was “ironclad,” but that they were reviewing “near-term security assistance shipments in the context of the unfolding events in Rafah.” The Biden administration previously told Israel’s government that it would not support an offensive into Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, but Israel continued with military operations into the city anyway as a ceasefire deal was on the table. These topics and others were discussed during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing on President Biden’s 2025 budget request. Pro-Palestinian protesters were seen and heard throughout the hearing.

Former House speaker and former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal’s Gerard Baker at the Milken Institute’s annual “Global Conference” in Beverly Hills, California. He weighed in on the current state of Congress and U.S. politics. The former speaker also gave his take on the upcoming 2024 election and supporting Donald Trump for president despite previously saying that Mr. Trump bore responsibility for the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He mentioned Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), and Gov. Sarah Sanders (R-AR) as being potential picks for Mr. Trump’s running mate.

Vanderbilt University law professor and war crimes expert Michael Newton talked about the process of prosecuting war crimes in the International Criminal Court, in the context of both the Israel-Hamas war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Semafor politics reporter Shelby Talcott talked about the Trump campaign’s process for vetting and selecting a running mate for the former president.

Wesleyan University professor Andrew Curran looked at how the concept of race emerged during the18th century enlightenment period. He was interviewed by George Mason University history professor Christy Pichichero.

Representative Pat Fallon (R-TX) talked about the conflicts in the Middle East, aid to Ukraine, border security, and congressional news of the day.

Author and journalist Ken Walsh talked about his book on the forces behind what he sees as toxic politics in the United States.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that any Chinese entity found to have aided Russia with resources for its war against Ukraine is subject to “significant consequences” or “sanctions by the United States.” Her remarks came in a briefing to reporters following four days of talks with top Chinese officials. The secretary also highlighted the importance of a healthy economic relationship between the U.S and China but expressed concerns, particularly in how U.S. jobs could be lost due to Chinese macroeconomic imbalances that she said have been “aggravated by large-scale government support in specific industrial sectors.” Following her remarks the secretary took questions from reporters.