Vice President JD Vance said Saturday that negotiations between Iran and Oman over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz have shown “some progress over the last few days,” though he cautioned that the conflict is far from resolved. The vital waterway, through which roughly a fifth of global oil passes, remains a central sticking point in talks aimed at ending the months-long confrontation.
Speaking on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” with Kayleigh McEnany, Vance said the administration is “in the middle of the game” and is deploying “a whole host of tools, diplomatic, economic, military tools, to ensure that we get the best outcome for the American people.” His remarks come as Iran talks progress but the conflict continues, with the administration signaling cautious optimism while acknowledging the fragility of the situation.
Democrats, meanwhile, have been sharply critical of the administration’s approach. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, accused President Trump of “gaslighting” the public “about the state of Iran negotiations” in a Monday social media post. Murphy is scheduled to appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, while former Defense Secretary Mark Esper will join ABC’s “This Week” to discuss the negotiations.
The economic fallout from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has been severe, with crude oil prices surging and global energy markets strained. The administration has also faced headwinds on the domestic front: a Friday Bureau of Labor Statistics report showed the U.S. lost 23,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.1%. Economists had expected a gain of 83,000 jobs and a steady rate of 4.2%. The disappointing figures have deepened GOP economic worries ahead of the midterms, as affordability is expected to be a top voter concern.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett defended the administration’s record, telling reporters that “momentum in the economy continues to be strong.” He attributed the job losses to cuts in government employment and the end of seasonal jobs following the World Cup. Hassett is slated to appear on CNN’s “State of the Union” and Fox News’s “Fox News Sunday.”
On the political front, President Trump is defending his economic record as the midterm campaign heats up. Republicans were rattled this week when populist candidate Abdul El-Sayed narrowly won the Democratic Senate primary in Michigan, defeating establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens. Trump has attacked El-Sayed as a “man of hate” during a Wednesday speech in Las Vegas. El-Sayed will appear on “State of the Union” and “Meet the Press” on Sunday to discuss his victory and the general election path.
In other primary news, Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who won the state’s Republican gubernatorial primary, will join Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures.” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the GOP Senate nominee, will also appear on the program. RNC Chair Joe Gruters is scheduled for NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday.”
In a significant Senate action early Saturday, nearly all Republicans voted to confirm Attorney General Todd Blanche, with a final tally of 50-49. All Democrats and GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) opposed. The vote came after GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy (La.) announced his support, despite having broken with the administration after Trump endorsed a challenger in his reelection race. Cassidy, in a Friday floor speech, said he would vote for Blanche despite concerns about his leadership, adding, “All considered, I will vote for Mr. Blanche. I will be criticized for this vote. What’s new.” Cassidy is set to appear on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
Separately, the Senate Homeland Security Committee voted Thursday to refer former White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci for criminal contempt after he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights 111 times during a hearing on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Committee Chair Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said the referral was “hand delivered” to the Justice Department.
Finally, several GOP lawmakers have called on Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) to suspend his reelection campaign following allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio). Miller denies the claims, which include throwing scalding water, holding a gun to her head, and breaking their daughter’s collarbone. Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) backed the House Ethics Committee investigation, saying that “any member found to have committed domestic violence should resign from Congress immediately.”
