US Vice President JD Vance has turned on President Donald Trump, blaming the Iran war for the disastrous Republican midterm election results that saw the party lose control of both the US Senate and the House of Representatives.
In a post on X, Vance listed the reasons he believes led to the loss and appealed for voters to give the party another chance, according to the Mirror. He said: "The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night."
Vance went on to say that the backers of the Iran war should take responsibility for the defeat, with Trump having championed the conflict. Vance said: "If you'd like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so. Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that's at least honest."
Political fallout and divided government
Vance's comments come as he considers his own political future, including a possible presidential campaign in 2028. The results set up a divided government, with Congress set to reassert itself as a coequal branch that can challenge Trump and reverse course after two years of unified Republican control.
Trump has been consulting with advisers on whether his Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth should be sacked, CBS News reported. Blame could also land on Adm Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Dan Caine, who both played big roles in guidance on the Iran war.
Economic impact and Democratic agenda
The Iran war has led to a spike in inflation across the globe. Rising prices and the state of democracy appear to be the main reasons for the poor Republican performance.
Democrats have promised a 100-day agenda that starts with efforts to lower the cost of fuel, groceries and other goods, as well as bills that would reverse cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid healthcare programmes. They are also ready to launch a robust oversight agenda to, as House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says, "hold the crooks accountable."
One thing the Democrats could consider is impeaching the president or his cabinet members. The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Rep Robert Garcia of California, issued a one-sentence warning: "Lawyer up." Meanwhile Sen Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, issued his own one-word missive: "Subpoenas."
New majority faces challenges
Democrats will be under pressure to show they have solutions to the high fuel and grocery prices, the war in Iran and other concerns about the direction of the USA. For Jeffries and his leadership team, it will be their first time in the majority, managing a class of newcomers including a handful of far-left democratic socialists.
With the majority in the 435-member House well past the 218 needed and the Senate Democrats holding at least 54 of 100 seats in that chamber, Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer will have room to manoeuvre.
