House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) took a sharp jab at President Trump on Tuesday, sarcastically urging the White House to deploy the president to every competitive House district across the country. Speaking at a press conference, Lieu framed the request as a way for Trump to personally explain to voters why gas prices and the cost of living have climbed under his watch.
“I urge the White House to send Donald Trump to every single swing district in America,” Lieu said. “He can explain to the American people in those districts why gas prices are up, why the cost of living is up.”
The California Democrat also criticized Trump for attending the FIFA men’s World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday, just 48 hours after three U.S. service members were killed in Iranian attacks on U.S. positions in Jordan and Iraq. The timing drew sharp rebukes from Democrats, who argue the president’s priorities are out of step with the sacrifices of military families.
Republicans, however, see Trump as a crucial asset on the trail. National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) told NewsNation last week that the party needs Trump to boost turnout among GOP voters in November. “The left, when they’re out of power, they’re more motivated. We’ve got to drive up the motivation for our side,” Hudson said at the annual Hill Nation Summit.
Yet Trump’s approval rating has slipped amid the escalating conflict with Iran. According to Decision Desk HQ, the president’s average approval stood at 40.8 percent as of Tuesday, down from 43.3 percent on February 27, just before the U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran. The war has disrupted global oil markets, with Iranian restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz driving up prices.
The national average price for a gallon of regular gas hit roughly $4.01 on Tuesday, according to AAA—up about eight cents from a month ago. That increase follows the collapse of a memorandum of understanding between Trump and Iranian officials that had briefly paused hostilities. The two sides have since resumed strikes, further roiling energy markets. The administration has vowed to address the Houthi threat to Red Sea shipping, but the economic fallout continues to hit American households.
House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) used the same press conference to outline Democrats’ agenda if they retake the House in November. “We want to fix healthcare, we want to lower the costs that people face and we want to end the corruption,” Aguilar said. “That’s a pretty simple agenda. And then we’re also going to have a healthy amount of oversight and accountability, from every committee, on this administration.”
The Democratic push comes amid broader concerns about the administration’s handling of the Iran war. Some lawmakers have accused the White House of withholding casualty data from Congress, adding to tensions on Capitol Hill. With the midterms approaching, both parties are jockeying to frame the stakes for voters in key battleground districts.
