Trump says Iran war impacted midterm outcome
Donald Trump spoke about the outcome of the midterm elections to reporters at the construction site of the White House ballroom.
He hailed the ballroom, which is being built after the East Wing of the White House was demolished, as a "structure the likes of which has never been seen anywhere."
During the remarks, Trump was asked about Vice President JD Vance's post which blamed the Iran war for the midterm losses to the Democrats.
"I think it's largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short term," Trump said. "But at the same time, if I had to do it again, I'd have to do it again. Because long term, it's the only answer. You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon."
The president also ruled out firing Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, who has guided efforts on the Iran war, saying "I think he's doing a very good job."
In regard to the Democrats, Trump said he was willing to work with the opposition. However, he warned the Democrats against impeachment.
"I think it would destroy the Democrat Party if they did that," the president said, while arguing there is "no reason" for him to be impeached.
Trump was impeached by the House two times during his first term, but was never convicted and removed by the Senate.
Trump backs Hegseth despite midterm losses tied to Iran war
US President Donald Trump has backed his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, despite the Iran war being identified as a key factor behind the Republican Party's heavy defeat in Tuesday's midterms.
The US president on Wednesday said that he was not considering firing Hegseth, who has also used the title Secretary of War since Trump rebranded the Pentagon, telling reporters: "I think he's doing a very good job."
Hegseth has championed the US-Israeli campaign against Iran and has clashed with Democratic lawmakers during tense congressional hearings over the US military's budget.
The war has cost US taxpayers tens of billions of dollars and caused fuel prices to spike, issues that proved to be significant liabilities for the Republican Party in the midterms. ALSO READ: Democrats take House and Senate from Republicans in US midterm rout
