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Marco Rubio Defends Trump’s Iran War After Republicans Lose Control of Congress

Syndicated Content — Mon, 09 Nov 2026 06:50:30 +0000

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended President Donald Trump’s decision to wage war against Iran on Sunday, November 8, saying the military campaign was necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, despite its unpopularity.

Speaking to reporters in Florida before traveling to Paris for a Group of Seven meeting, Rubio said Trump had confronted a national security threat even though the decision was not necessarily popular, according to the Associated Press.

His comments followed the November 3 midterm elections, when Democrats gained control of Congress. Opposition to the Iran war and rising energy prices contributed to Republican losses.

Vice President JD Vance had previously pointed to the war as a major factor in the election results. Trump acknowledged its political impact but maintained that launching the conflict was the correct decision.

Rubio also addressed ongoing negotiations with Iran, saying the two sides remained far from an agreement because of Iranian demands.

The conflict, now more than eight months old, has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to higher fuel prices.

Trump Confirms New Strikes as U.S. and Tehran Continue Diplomatic Talks

Syndicated Content — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 10:54:36 +0000

Diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran are continuing despite another round of American military strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump confirmed on November 6 that U.S. forces targeted an Iranian air defense system on Qeshm Island. As detailed by the New York Post, Trump described the operation as limited while maintaining that negotiations with Tehran were making progress.

The strikes come amid continued attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil supplies.

Qatar is helping mediate discussions between Washington and Tehran. One proposal under consideration would allow international nuclear inspectors to return to Iranian facilities in exchange for easing the U.S. naval blockade and releasing certain frozen Iranian funds.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command has established a task force aimed at restricting Iranian weapons supply networks and the movement of sensitive materials.

Iran continues to seek broader concessions from Washington before advancing nuclear negotiations. Although both countries remain engaged in diplomatic discussions, significant differences over security arrangements and Iran’s nuclear program remain unresolved.

Zelenskyy Expects More Support as Democrats take House, Senate

Nathan Brinkman — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 13:27:42 +0000

By Mike Glenn (The Washington Times)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he expects an increase in support from the U.S. after Democrats took control of both the House and the Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Mr. Zelenskyy told CNN on Friday that Ukraine has always counted on bipartisan support in Washington, saying unity between Republicans and Democrats on Russia’s war against Ukraine is crucial.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv expects renewed support from the Democrats.

Mr. Zelenskyy said he spoke with newly energized Democrats after the Republicans took a drubbing in the elections. He said the Democrats have remained on Kyiv’s side even as the Trump administration looks for a way to disentangle itself from Ukraine.

“They don’t try to balance between us and Russia. They aren’t afraid to say that Russia is the aggressor,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. “They don’t want to give our land to Putin.”

He acknowledged that Ukraine is going through a difficult period as winter approaches. Russia is launching massive attacks using Iranian drones that target schools, homes and power plants.

Mr. Zelenskyy was skeptical that Moscow would abide by a “big beautiful agreement” that President Trump on Thursday said would settle the war in Ukraine with a broad security framework spanning all of Europe.

“We support a ceasefire,” he said. “But there’s no signal from Russia that they’re ready to do anything.”

This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.

Stephen Miller Replaces Susie Wiles as Trump’s Chief of Staff

Nathan Brinkman — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 13:22:07 +0000

By Jeff Mordock (The Washington Times)

Susie Wiles is leaving as White House chief of staff after staggering Republican losses in the midterm elections and will be replaced by Stephen Miller, a key adviser who helped shape the Trump administration’s illegal immigration crackdown.

Speaking with reporters at the White House on Friday, Mr. Trump said he had to shake things up following the midterms.

“I think Susie’s done a very good job, great job, but I just wanted to [do] it. Stephen’s been great, and we got to make moves. Sometimes in life you have to make moves,” he said.

He said he expected Mr. Miller to “just run things well.”

“Stephen has been with me from the beginning,” Mr. Trump said. “He gets it, very good politically, and he’s a very good man. He’ll do a great job. Very good manager.”

The president announced the change on social media and said Ms. Wiles will be moving over to the Trump political operation.

Ms. Wiles called working with Mr. Trump in the White House “the honor of a lifetime.”

“I’m so proud to have been a part of what we’ve accomplished together from securing our border and cutting taxes to strengthening our economy and putting America First,” Ms. Wiles wrote on social media.

“While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will,” she said.

Her exit is a sharp reversal for Ms. Wiles, who was widely credited with bringing discipline to Mr. Trump’s successful 2024 campaign and became the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff.

She is also the second-longest-serving of Mr. Trump’s five chiefs of staff, dating back to his first term. Ms. Wiles lasted nearly two years, falling just a few days short of Mark Meadows, who was Mr. Trump’s chief of staff from March 2020 until the end of his first term in January 2021.

Ms. Wiles is the highest-ranking White House official to leave in the aftermath of the midterm elections Tuesday, in which Republicans lost majorities in the House and Senate in voters’ sharp rebuke of Mr. Trump’s policies.

The blowout will cause headaches for Mr. Trump and administration officials when the Democratic-controlled Congress takes over in January. Democrats have promised vigorous investigations of the Trump administration.

Mr. Trump had expressed confidence in Ms. Wiles, even as it was clear his party was going to be blown out in the midterm elections. Just two weeks before the elections, Mr. Trump emphatically denied reports that he was considering firing Ms. Wiles, declaring there was “zero chance” he would replace her.

“I could not be more happy with Susie. She’s done a great job from day one,” he said. “Susie is here and she’s going to be here for a long time.”

With Mr. Miller, the president has elevated the architect of some of his administration’s most controversial policies, including his illegal immigration crackdown, bid to acquire Greenland and military intervention in Venezuela.

Mr. Miller also championed the dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion programs and advocated for aggressive federal action against protesters.

Mr. Miller also played a significant role in shaping the administration’s use of military force against suspected drug-smuggling vessels and has pushed for an expansive interpretation of executive power.

Democrats and immigration groups blasted the choice of Mr. Miller.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, New York Democrat, who is poised to be the next speaker of the House, said Mr. Miller should be fired, not promoted.

“Stephen Miller is a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist who has American blood on his hands,” Mr. Jeffries said. “His presence in government should be eradicated like a malignant tumor.”

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, said it shows Mr. Trump “learned nothing from Republicans’ Election Day losses.”

“Stephen Miller is the architect of the most barbaric, inhumane policies of this administration,” he said. “Trump couldn’t have made a worse choice. Our Democratic majorities will fight him every step of the way.”

Ms. Wiles’ departure comes after several high-profile conservative figures called for her removal after the election.

Just hours before her departure was announced, former White House adviser Steve Bannon called for her ouster.

In an interview with British journalist Steven Edginton, Mr. Bannon declared that Ms. Wiles should be “removed immediately” because of the historic losses suffered by the GOP in the midterms.

“I think that you have to look to people like Susie Wiles, the chief of staff, and the political consultants that are there … because of the results, they should be removed and removed immediately,” Mr. Bannon said.

Mr. Bannon joins a growing chorus of conservatives who demanded Ms. Wiles’ resignation or firing in the aftermath of the midterms. They’ve accused her of mismanaging Mr. Trump’s political strategy and failing to protect his agenda.

Caroline Sunshine, a former Trump White House aide, told Fox News this week that Ms. Wiles “needs to resign.”

“I’m going to say publicly what a lot of people are saying privately. Susie Wiles needs to resign,” Ms. Sunshine said. “She needs to offer her resignation to the president before he has to ask for it.” Ms. Sunshine argued that Wiles’ campaign skills had not translated into governing and described the Republican losses as preventable.

Other conservatives who have joined the calls for Ms. Wiles’ removal include Derrick Evans, a former Republican West Virginia state lawmaker, who declared that Wiles “should resign immediately.” Conservative commentator J.D. Rucker urged Mr. Trump to fire her, arguing that the president needed a more aggressive chief of staff to navigate the political challenges ahead.

Far-right activist Nick Fuentes also demanded Wiles’ dismissal, declaring that she “should be fired tomorrow.” Bill Hennessy, a co-founder of the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition, similarly wrote that “Susie Wiles has to go.”

This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.

Trump Announces Possible European Security Deal

Syndicated Content — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 06:37:57 +0000

President Donald Trump says a major security agreement involving Ukraine and potentially all of Europe is being discussed following his November 5 meeting with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev at the White House.

CNN reported that Trump described the proposed agreement as a deal extending beyond Ukraine but provided no specific terms. The president met Dmitriev without holding a separate meeting with visiting Ukrainian representatives.

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also outlined proposals for a wider European security framework, including military transparency and measures to reduce tensions between Russia and Europe.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern about the proposal during a November 6 interview, warning that an agreement between Russia and Europe could be dangerous without addressing Ukraine’s war first.

Meanwhile, NATO confirmed discussions involving American, Ukrainian, and European officials in Brussels.

The United States, Russia, and Ukraine are scheduled to hold negotiations in Abu Dhabi next week.

Major disagreements remain. Russia continues demanding control of Ukraine’s Donbas region, restrictions on Ukraine’s military, and an end to Kyiv’s NATO membership ambitions.

‘Chains of Tyranny’: Trump Marks Anti-Communism Week

Nathan Brinkman — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 14:31:29 +0000

By Bill Gertz (The Washington Times)

President Trump has designated early November as “anti-communism week,” days after democratic socialists that he has called communists made significant gains in the mid-term elections.

For more than a century, human freedom has been threatened by communist and socialist ideologies that block individual rights, subjugate populations under state control and extinguish God-given rights that are central to free nations, Mr. Trump said in a statement.

“This Anti-Communism Week, we are reminded of the devastating consequences of state control over human thought, creativity, and political expression, resulting in suffering, poverty, exploitation, violence, and misery for millions, and we renew our commitment to protect the sacred values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness from the chains of tyranny,” Mr. Trump said.

The designation recognizing the threat of communism was released on an Election Day that saw Republicans suffer historic defeats in Congress and state houses in the mid-term elections that switched control of Congress from Republicans to Democrats.

Also, the elections saw additional socialists from the Democratic Socialists of America win seats in Congress.

Six new DSA-backed House members won congressional seats along with two DSA incumbents. DSA-aligned Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s Senate seat, though he rejects the DSA label.

In addition to socialist Mayors Zohran Mamdani in New York and Katie Wilson in Seattle, socialist Janeese Lewis George was elected mayor in Washington and DSA member Nithya Raman was elected mayor in Los Angeles.

Mr. Trump called democratic socialists, including the DSA, communists.

“These are not social democrats. These are hardcore, godless communists. They’re godless communists,” Mr. Trump said during a speech in June.

“All communists are godless. They don’t believe in God. This is the most serious threat to our country since its existence. In my opinion, 250 years ago. This is a major threat to our country.”

The DSA denies being communist and has described itself as “anti-capitalist,” a key tenet of Marxism, but the group has not taken a public stance on the role of Marxist ideology. It has acknowledged that within the party are Marxist and Marxist-Leninist factions.

Communism began in the 1840s with Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto and was solidified in power under Russia’s Vladimir Lenin, who altered the ideology by claiming a small “vanguard” revolutionary party must take control of governments in pursuing an ideal worker’s paradise.

Under communist ideology, socialism is a stage on history’s predetermined march to the utopian ideal.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, communism today is being promoted under China’s President Xi Jinping. He has called Marxism “truth” and added Chinese characteristics to the ideology.

China is expanding communism globally through several Chinese Communist Party programs, including the Global Governance Initiative, Global Security Initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative.

Mr. Trump said in the statement that the American experiment is under a renewed threat of socialist, communist and radical leftist ideologies that are gaining traction in the country.

The federal government needs to remain vigilant in defending the principles of the U.S. founding and make sure that the history of communism is not forgotten.

The Black Book of Communism, a 1997 history written by European experts, estimated that under communism in the Soviet Union, China, and other regimes, at least 100 million people have died.

In communist China, as many as 60 million people have died since 1949 under socialist policies that produced a famine, a Cultural Revolution and extermination policies aimed at people whom the ideology calls “enemies of the state.”

Mr. Trump said the anti-communism week will honor the victims of socialism and communism and defend freedoms that are denied under the ideology.

America, Mr. Trump stated, has a history of standing up to tyranny and maintaining a free and self-governing republic.

“As president, I will always protect the founding principles for which so many fought and died,” he stated.

“Together, we will defend our Constitution, which protects our freedoms; uphold the dignity of every individual; strengthen the free market, which has made us the most prosperous country ever to exist; and ensure that the promise of America remains alive and well for generations to come.”

“I call upon all Americans to stand firm in their defense against any threat to the American way of life and to protect our burning flame of liberty from the darkness of communism.”

This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.

Republicans Claw at Each Other After Midterm Debacle

Nathan Brinkman — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 14:26:58 +0000

By Kerry Picket & Susan Ferrechio (The Washington Times)

Republicans have turned on each other, pointing fingers and fighting over what’s next for the party after the midterm debacle that cost the GOP control of the House and Senate.

Some of the party’s leading voices are brawling over the political future of Vice President J.D. Vance, once considered the heir apparent to the now-shattered Trump MAGA coalition.

“If the administration had won a big victory, Vice President J.D. Vance would have had an enormous argument to be the inevitable nominee,” in 2028, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said. “Now, with this go-slow strategy blowing up in Iran … a good bit of the luster has come off the bloom.”

Other Republicans tore each other apart over individual races.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who badly lost his bid to unseat New York’s incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, ripped GOP candidate Anthony Constantino, who won New York’s deep-red 21st District House seat by a mere two points.

Mr. Blakeman threatened to challenge Mr. Constantino, who hasn’t even taken office yet, in 2028. He called Mr. Constantino “by far the worst candidate I have ever encountered,” and said he ran far ahead of him in his district. “If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t have won. See you in two years, pal.”

The GOP’s public battle over whether Mr. Vance should take the party’s reins in 2028 got ugly after the vice president wrote a lengthy post blaming the GOP’s defeat on the protracted war in Iran. The post quickly attracted barbs from his own party.

Ari Fleischer, who served as press secretary to George W. Bush, attacked Mr. Vance’s explanation for the GOP’s defeat.

“The problem was not the Iran War. It was the ceasefire. If you start a war, you need to win it and finish it – otherwise don’t start it,” Mr. Fleischer posted in response to Mr. Vance’s election mea culpa.

The remnants of the MAGA coalition are hardly taking the criticism in stride.

Roger Stone, a GOP operative and Trump loyalist, ripped apart Mr. Fleischer on X.

“Based on your work for George W. Bush and you’re helping push a completely phony war [in] Iraq without any justification, I don’t think you have any room to talk,” he posted. “You’re a war criminal. No one cares about your opinion.”

Republican attorney Robert Barnes, an ardent Trump supporter, piled on, calling Mr. Fleischer a “war whoring fraud” who should be purged “from the party forever.”

The post-election blame game spanned the far reaches of MAGA world.

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Trump loyalist, attacked Laura Loomer, one of Mr. Trump’s most ardent far-right supporters who has a huge social media following.

Ms. Greene posted a screenshot of dozens of Ms. Loomer’s X posts and accused her of providing advice to the president that caused not only big midterm losses but could end up landing the president in jail.

“Laura Loomer is mentally unwell and is probably living in a state of psychosis,” Ms. Greene said Thursday. “And high-level admin in the White House talk to her all the time.”

She also attacked Mr. Trump and his followers over his campaign rallies where he dedicated time to complimenting the physiques of candidates and rally speakers.

“Imagine thinking talking about people’s asses was a good campaign strategy. And the stupid trained baby seals clapped along, praising and giggling about the weird comments by the President,” she said

Anti-tax activist Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, painted a brighter picture for Republicans, pointing out they have been written off before and recovered each time.

“Nixon was supposed to be the end of the Republican Party. So was Goldwater. So was Reagan [after big midterm losses] in ’86,” Mr. Norquist told The Washington Times. “When this happens to Republicans, the establishment press announces the Republican Party’s over and has to rethink everything. When the Democrats take a bloodbath, that’s not their analysis.”

This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.

Trump’s 250-Foot Arch Wins Final Approval

Nathan Brinkman — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 06:21:13 +0000

President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery has received final planning approval, although construction is temporarily blocked by a federal court order.

The National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-4 on November 5, 2026, following more than eight hours of public testimony. CNN reported that more than 120 people, including veterans and preservation advocates, expressed opposition to the project.

The monument is planned for Memorial Circle, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Supporters describe it as a tribute to American history and military service, connected to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Critics have questioned its size, location, potential traffic disruptions, and lack of congressional authorization.

Shortly after the commission’s approval, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a 14-day temporary restraining order preventing construction from beginning.

The decision followed legal challenges from Washington, D.C., Virginia, veterans, and other opponents who questioned the project’s legality.

While the commission’s vote clears a major planning requirement, the court order leaves construction on hold as the legal proceedings continue.

Eye on 2028: Internal Memo Promotes AOC as National Force

Nathan Brinkman — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 13:55:05 +0000

By Tom Howell Jr. (The Washington Times)

A new memo from the camp of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is promoting her as an effective surrogate with a national reach, sparking buzz around the New York Democrat as the political world digests the seismic midterms and eyes the 2028 presidential contest.

The memo, issued by the Ocasio-Cortez campaign committee, points to her effective fundraising efforts for candidates such as Abdul El-Sayed, who surged to a Senate victory in Michigan as part of a Democratic midterm rout on Tuesday.

“The congresswoman has emerged as one of the most powerful endorsements in the United States and New York State specifically,” says the memo, dated Nov. 3. “Candidates from rural districts and battleground seats see her as an asset for their general election campaigns.”

The document points to Ms. Ocasio-Cortez’s large winning margin in her New York district and, more importantly, her national impact in mobilizing Latino voters.

The memo is an early sign that Democrats, fresh off midterm wins, are jockeying over their 2028 prospects.

Democrats will try to take back the White House after Mr. Trump’s second term and his decade as the undisputed GOP leader and top political force in America.

Critics of Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, a congresswoman since 2019, say she is too liberal for a nationwide race and would alienate independents and centrists. Others say she is not ready to handle foreign policy.

The internal memo says Ms. Ocasio-Cortez’s political future remains uncertain, but she will be a force in some way.

“In the coming days and weeks, much will be discussed about the future of the Democratic Party and 2028,” the memo says. “You may be asked whether you support her running for President or for Senate in New York or staying in the House of Representatives. We’d recommend you rely on the details of this memo and answer that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez will continue to do what she’s always done: look for ways to do the most good for the most people.”

If she decides to run, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez would be among possible Democratic contenders, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and many others.

On the Republican side, Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are viewed as leading 2028 contenders, if they decide to run.

This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.

Vance Delivers Mea Culpa After GOP Losses; Blames Iran War

Nathan Brinkman — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 13:50:07 +0000

By Stephen Dinan (The Washington Times)

Vice President J.D. Vance said Wednesday that Republicans’ problem in the elections wasn’t that they didn’t show up — but that they did show up, only to cast votes for Democrats.

The No. 2 Republican delivered a striking mea culpa, saying those who’d been warning for months that the GOP was on the wrong track were correct.

That included voters angered by higher prices, but chiefly upset over President Trump’s deepening involvement in the Middle East, he said on social media.

“The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night,” Mr. 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,” he said. “But everyone knows why we lost. And any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there.”

He specifically discounted the idea that Mr. Trump’s mass deportation campaign was the cause, saying that while tweaks to the operation may be welcome, blaming the GOP’s immigration message was “gaslighting.”

“I’m open to the idea that we should change enforcement — by focusing more on businesses that hire illegal labor, for instance. But anyone pushing amnesty is lying to you,” he said.

Mr. Vance, who had been seen as a likely contender for Mr. Trump’s seat in 2028, said voters who backed him and Mr. Trump two years ago abandoned Republicans this time.

“To the people who are pissed off and want to say, ‘I told you so’: you’re right, you did tell us so. Take that energy into electing Republicans who share your worldview. To the people who are just pissed at the results, you should be. Let’s take that anger and get back to the work of saving our country,” Mr. Vance said.

This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.