Democrats Revive Foreign Policy Group for 2028 Presidential Race and Next Administration

Senior Democrats are relaunching an influential foreign policy group to assist potential 2028 presidential candidates and unite national security specialists who could staff the next Democratic administration, Axios has learned.

National Security Action (NSA) has appointed Maher Bitar to lead the group ahead of the 2028 primary season. Bitar previously served as national security adviser and chief counsel to Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and as coordinator for intelligence and defense policy on President Biden’s National Security Council.

Why This Matters

Founded in 2018, NSA played a key role in shaping Democrats’ foreign policy messaging during the 2020 election and helped staff much of President Biden’s national security team. Notable figures involved include Jake Sullivan, who co-founded NSA and later became Biden’s national security adviser.

The group aims to replicate its influence in the 2028 election and the next Democratic administration.

Driving the News

Bitar told Axios that NSA will host retreats, conduct polling, and serve as a “hub” to develop the party’s foreign policy strategy “to be ready for 2028 and beyond.”

Ben Rhodes, NSA’s co-founder and board member, highlighted two key priorities: identifying talent for Democratic campaigns and administrations, and shaping progressive foreign policy ideas.

“I think the next Democratic administration should look quite different [from the Biden administration]. It’s kind of time to pass the baton so there’s a really great opportunity to try to talent spot and help elevate some different voices.”

The Big Picture: Deepening Divides in Democratic Foreign Policy

NSA faces a significant challenge: navigating the growing divisions within the Democratic Party on foreign policy, which are more pronounced than during President Trump’s first term.

• 80% of Democrats now view Israel unfavorably, up from 53% in 2022, according to Pew Research. This shift occurred before Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.
• The party remains divided on issues such as tariffs, China, and artificial intelligence.
• Skepticism toward Biden administration alumni has intensified, particularly among progressive factions.

As Axios CEO Jim VandeHei noted in his C-Suite newsletter, 40 of 47 Senate Democrats voted last month to block arms sales to Israel—including every Democratic senator considered potential 2028 presidential contenders:

• Mark Kelly (Arizona)
• Ruben Gallego (Arizona)
• Cory Booker (New Jersey)
• Elissa Slotkin (Michigan)
• Jon Ossoff (Georgia)
• Chris Murphy (Connecticut)

Key Voices on the Shifting Foreign Policy Landscape

“The center of gravity has shifted on the relationship with Israel, and there will be a debate about the nature of the relationship going forward.”

— Jake Sullivan, NSA board member and former Biden national security adviser

“Obviously, National Security Action is not going to resolve that debate, but it’s going to try and ensure it’s as healthy a debate as possible. … As we look at what foreign policy will look like following Trump 2.0, there are just a lot more fundamental questions that are going to need answering.”

“In Trump 1, there