Vice President J. D. Vance has blamed the war with Iran for the Republicans’ defeat in the U.S. congressional elections, saying any honest discussion of the party’s next steps must begin with the conflict. In a social media post, he challenged those who believed the war was worth the loss of the Senate majority to say so openly and explain why.
Vance also urged voters who had warned of the consequences to channel their anger into supporting Republicans who share their views. He said he still had hope for the country and acknowledged that critics had been right to raise concerns.
President Donald Trump rejected the idea that the war should have been avoided. In an interview with The New York Times, he said he did not regret the decision and would make it again. Trump said the conflict had pushed oil prices up in the short term, but argued that prices would fall further once the war ended. He also said Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Trump said voters were dissatisfied with oil prices, but not with his decision to go to war. He expressed confidence that he could work with Democrats in the next session of Congress, while warning that he would use his veto if they acted destructively or sought to pass what he considered bad legislation.
Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene also blamed Trump for the party’s losses, saying he was “100 percent” responsible. She cited the cost of living, fuel prices, the war and the Epstein files, as well as the president’s insults and perceived narcissism, as reasons voters had turned away from Republicans. Greene said she had not voted in Georgia and did not support what the Republican Party currently stood for.
The election setback has also raised questions about Republican leadership in the House. Speaker Mike Johnson said he did not intend to lead the party’s minority, while Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan were reported to be seeking the position. On the Democratic side, House leader Hakeem Jeffries said his party would focus on reducing the cost of food, gasoline, housing and health care rather than seeking revenge.
Sources: FAZ.