President Trump pulled Vice President JD Vance away from negotiations with Iran on Thursday, declaring that the United States no longer needs to pursue a deal to end the conflict.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Trump directed Vance to turn his attention instead toward corruption in states run by Democrats. The decision arrived as Republicans continue to grapple with sweeping losses in the midterm elections.
“We don’t need a deal with Iran. Those days have long since passed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We’ve got their money, Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and we’ve got the Strait!”
Trump stated in the same post that he asked Vance, who played a central role in talks with Tehran, to focus his complete and total attention on crime and corruption in Democrat-run cities and states. He singled out California, Minnesota, and Illinois as poorly run disasters.
Vance Blames War for Midterm Losses
The reassignment followed public comments from Vance and other Republicans linking the Iran war to the party’s defeats in the midterms. The morning after the election, Vance wrote on social media that the war was the reason for the losses.
“If you’d like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next six years was worth it, then do so. Argue it was worthwhile cost to pay,” Vance wrote, according to the Los Angeles Times. “Agree or disagree, that’s at least honest. But everyone knows why we lost.”
Trump insisted the post did not damage his relationship with Vance. He told reporters last week that while many people disliked the comments, he did not mind them.
A White House official maintained on Thursday that the United States remains in a very strong position in negotiations with Iran. The official pointed to a naval blockade and control of the Strait of Hormuz, even as efforts to secure the oil route continue.
“President Trump holds all the cards, will do what is best for the United States, and will make sure that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” an official said.
Flurry of Social Media Attacks
The shift away from Iran talks came during a series of posts fired off by Trump early Thursday morning. The messages indicated little appetite for changing course nine days after voters rebuked his policies, largely over economic struggles tied to the war.
Trump threatened new tariffs on Mexico and called for the prosecution of Democratic lawmakers. He declared Democrats to be corrupt and evil while claiming without evidence that they cheated to win the midterms.
The posts marked a sharp pivot from a reflective tone struck immediately after the midterms. On election night, Trump congratulated Democrats on Fox News and conceded that immigration policies and the war played a role in the defeat.
Democratic Majorities in Congress
Democrats won at least 55 seats in the Senate and are projected to control at least 255 seats in the House. They flipped seats in Republican strongholds like Kansas and Mississippi in a sweep that Republicans warn could take years to recover from.
In response, Trump has adopted an aggressive stance against the incoming congressional majorities. White House lawyers warned on Wednesday of potential criminal inquiries into House Democrats who investigate Trump when they assume power next year.
Trump also targeted Sen. Chuck Schumer after the New York Democrat stated his intent to address corruption within the federal government and the Trump administration.
“I assume he is referring to Democrat run Blue States such as California, Minnesota, Illinois, Maine and New York,” Trump wrote. “Hopefully his words will ring true! It will be an honor to work with him on this very big Democrat problem that, when solved, will literally balance the Budget of the U.S.”
