Democrats are intensifying their criticism of President Donald Trump as the November midterm elections approach, seeking to turn his handling of the Iran war, rising energy prices and economic concerns into campaign issues against Republicans.
The renewed opposition comes after Trump said he did not regret launching the war against Iran and would make the same decision again if given the opportunity.
Trump said his objective was to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and maintained that the conflict could continue until after the November elections. He also accused Iran of attempting to influence the outcome of the vote.
Democrats have responded by highlighting the consequences of the prolonged conflict for Americans, particularly higher fuel prices and wider economic pressures.
The Iran war has contributed to rising oil prices, which have moved above $100 a barrel amid continuing tensions in the Middle East. The increase has intensified concerns over inflation and the cost of living ahead of the November 3 congressional elections.
The Democratic National Committee has also stepped up its criticism of the administration, arguing that the war has lasted far longer than Americans were led to expect and has imposed economic costs on households.
Democratic leaders have used the Republican Party’s first midterm convention in Dallas to attack Trump’s record and question his approach to the conflict.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a prominent Democrat, criticised the Republican gathering and argued that the administration’s policies had failed to address the concerns of ordinary Americans.
“This bizarre Republican midterm convention here can’t paper over the fact that Republicans have done nothing to earn your vote,” Pritzker said.
Trump, meanwhile, has made himself central to the Republican campaign.
At the Dallas convention, he urged voters to approach the November election as though he were personally on the ballot. He also warned supporters about the consequences of Democrats gaining control of Congress.
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The strategy has nevertheless generated concern within Republican ranks. Reuters reported that some Republican figures questioned whether placing Trump at the centre of the midterm campaign could damage candidates in competitive races, particularly among independent voters.
Democrats are seeking to exploit those concerns by presenting the November election as a judgment on Trump’s presidency, particularly his handling of the Iran war and the economy.
The midterm elections could determine control of Congress, giving the contest major implications for Trump’s ability to advance his domestic and foreign-policy agenda during the remainder of his presidency.
For Democrats, the campaign offers an opportunity to argue that the costs of Trump’s policies should be measured not only in military terms but also through their effect on American families.
Republicans, meanwhile, are relying on Trump’s political base and his ability to mobilise voters around his administration’s record.
With the November election approaching, the continuing conflict and its economic consequences are likely to remain important issues as both parties compete for control of Congress.
