Miles Taylor, a former official in Donald Trump's administration, has voiced concerns about the president's possible actions if Republicans lose control of the House of Representatives and the Senate in next month's Midterm elections.
Taylor, who served in the US Department of Homeland Security during Trump's first term, has become a vocal critic of the president in recent years. Writing in the i, he said Trump is "getting desperate as he watches Americans – including form his own side of the aisle – complain about prices at the pump".
Concerns over post-election conduct
Taylor's worries focus on Trump's potential response to a defeat, particularly after the president campaigned for the release of convicted conspiracy theorist Tina Peters. Taylor highlighted that Peters's solicitor, Peter Ticktin, had "drafted an executive order for Trump to declare an election emergency".
Ticktin, who knew Trump in his earlier years, reportedly cautioned that Trump was "not going to relinquish control again", Taylor suggested. Consequently, Taylor expressed concern that the president "certainly seems to be signalling that he's listening to the crackpots" as the pivotal election period approaches.
Approval rating at record low
Taylor's remarks come days after a Fox News poll showed Trump's approval rating had fallen to a record low, with only 36 percent of respondents offering a favourable assessment of his presidency and 64 percent expressing disapproval.
According to The Hill, the decline was particularly pronounced among voters aged 45 and under, as well as those earning $50,000 or less annually, with much of the dissatisfaction rooted in rising living costs.
Fuel prices and diesel deal
Trump has sought to address fuel costs through a diesel agreement with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The arrangement, covering approximately 300,000 tonnes of diesel with immediate effect, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November, was finalised earlier this month.
Figures from the AAA (American Automobile Association) indicate the average price of a gallon of diesel in the USA currently stands at around $6.32, compared to $3.71 twelve months ago.
