US midterms: Iran war, Russia oil deal reveal ‘growing’ divide between Trump and Republicans | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump faces a tough time ahead of the November 3 mid-term elections in the US amid growing divisions in the Republican Party. Several of his allies are distancing themselves from him over issues including the ongoing war in Iran and his recently announced diesel deal with Russia. The deal comes despite him signing a law last month aimed at curbing revenue from funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
After months of focusing on the Iran war and insisting that Tehran must not get a nuclear weapon, Trump is stepping up his efforts to address voters’ concerns. After previously saying, “I don’t care about the midterms,” he is now promising measures including $5,000 checks to the American people if Republicans win, as higher gas prices add to the challenges facing his party.
Read also | Trump pledges $5,000 to woo voters: GOP insider moves to save midterms amid Iran war
Last week, Trump announced a diesel supply deal with Russia after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said the deal would help lower fuel prices and benefit America’s farmers and ranchers. On Monday, he defended the diesel deal with Moscow, saying: “We produce a lot of oil. We could put a cap on oil, but the rest of the world would be very affected if we did. We could do a cap, a cap on diesel. Keep it all to ourselves. That would have a very big impact. It’s not really a deal for me, it’s a deal for the rest of the world. Anything that could help our farmers, anything could help our farmers.”
Republicans split over Russian oil deal and Iran war
Several Republican lawmakers expressed concern over Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel imports. A Bloomberg report quoted Rep. Don Bacon, R-Nebraska, as saying, “We need a president who is up to the task of leading the free world,” adding, “Let’s be honest. Trump is and always has been weak on Putin.”
Separately, Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine joined three other Republicans and three Democrats in saying Trump is ignoring the 2022 law that bans Russian oil imports. In a letter sent on October 11, the senators demanded that he immediately reverse course.
Republican lawmakers also criticized his decision on their social media accounts. Collins wrote: “I oppose President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on the purchase of diesel from Russia. I co-sponsored the Russia Sanctions Act that the President recently signed into law, but is now not being followed.”
Republican Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas also criticized the deal, writing, “Sanctions on Russian fuel exports over the past few years have robbed Putin of funding for his unjust war in Ukraine and provided leverage to help end it. We should continue to tighten sanctions, not undercut them by allowing Russian diesel imports and risk wiping out our leverage and hurting all of our allies.”
Read also | Just ahead of US midterm polls, 78% of Americans blame Trump for the rising cost of living
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who served as Trump’s vice president during Trump’s first term, also criticized the move, writing: “President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian fuel amid Putin’s continued and brutal attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine makes no sense and is a betrayal of the legacy and leadership of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The population and innocent Ukrainians are dying every day.”
Despite mounting criticism, Trump brushed off the remarks, saying, “I think they’re Republicans who can’t be serious.”
Disagreement with Iran’s war manipulation
Disagreement over the oil deal comes alongside growing concern among some Republicans about Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, which has contributed to higher fuel prices and prompted calls in Congress to curb his war powers.
In May, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky in supporting a Democratic measure to limit the war on Iran, the first time she has voted in favor of such an effort. The proposal fell short by one vote, 50-49, after Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voted against it with Republicans.
According to an October Reuters report, Republican candidates in 12 competitive races broke with Trump over the Iran conflict, either voting to limit his war powers or publicly calling for an end to the fighting as rising gas prices put pressure on household budgets. But their disagreements were largely limited to specific issues, reflecting an effort to appeal to independent voters without openly rejecting Trump’s broader agenda.
Trump also lashed out at Republican senators amid criticism over the Iran war. In June, several Republicans who attended the luncheon said Trump had a heated discussion with Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, who pressed the administration to clarify the framework agreement signed last week. The deal offered financial incentives to Iran but did not fully meet the goals Trump set out when the war began.
But attention will now shift to the upcoming midterm elections, and it remains to be seen whether the two wars will affect the future of Senate Republicans for the next two years.
