Counting the costs of the Iran war

U.S. President Donald Trump came face to face with the human cost of the war on Wednesday when he participated in one of the presidency’s most solemn traditions: welcoming home the remains of military service members killed in action. Four U.S. troops returned to American soil in flag-draped coffins, the latest of the 18 combat deaths in the nearly five-month-old war with Iran that has increasingly centered around control of the Hormuz Strait. Trump stood at attention as the caskets were unloaded from the belly of an aircraft at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. In Washington, meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans sounded increasingly frustrated by an unpopular war that shows no sign of ending. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced a grilling in Congress on Tuesday on the U.S.’s military progress and the White House’s request for tens of billions of dollars to replenish munitions stocks and fund the war effort. The war, which Trump has defended as necessary to keep the Iranians from developing a nuclear weapon, has already cost the U.S. $37.5 billion, Hegseth told lawmakers. The moment that stood out to me was an upbraiding from New York Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “You are asking for unlimited money for bombs when people can’t feed their families,” Gillibrand said, referring to how the war has worsened the cost of living for many Americans. “Not unlimited bombs, senator,” Hegseth replied. “I’m asking for the right bombs at the right time to ensure we can deter our adversaries in the future.” The rising economic costs of the war have undercut Republicans’ efforts to tout Trump’s signature tax-and-spending law. It was supposed to be the domestic showcase of his second term, delivering a campaign promise that propelled him back into office in 2025. But with global crude oil prices surging to $100 per barrel again on Thursday, the economic benefits of the law have been increasingly eclipsed by voters’ cost-of-living concerns. As Republican lawmakers prepare to head home for the summer, they have few other political wins to promote. Congress has largely rebuffed Trump’s push for his voting restrictions bill, and many in his party have shown little interest in joining him in relitigating his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. They also lack a clear plan to approve Hegseth’s Pentagon funding request, let alone prevent a looming government shutdown, when lawmakers return. Time is not on Republicans’ side. The midterm elections are sooner than they appear: officially 103 days until November 3, but only 57 days until some states begin early voting. Trump is on the clock to convince voters that the casualties, higher defense spending and economic fallout from the war are being matched by gains in U.S. security and prosperity. The political problem for Republicans is clear: a prolonged war with Iran could hurt the party in the midterms, which are now just over 100 days away, Republican campaign sources tell me and my Reuters colleagues. Voters are war weary and fed up with rising prices linked to supply chain snags in the Middle East, they tell us. And voters are largely holding Trump responsible. My colleague Bo Erickson talked to voters at Trump’s rally outside Atlanta on Wednesday about this very topic. Many of them, who say they voted for Trump, want him to get out of a war that is widening and has gone on for longer than the president said it would. “Netanyahu started it, let him finish it. We’re getting our soldiers and our money involved in this and there’s been no lowering of any kind of prices,” said Annie Goins, 50, from Woodstock, Georgia, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Margaret Gatherum, 67, works part-time at a waterpark to help afford groceries and gas. She told Bo: “The war does take precedence, but I wish he could shift a little help again back to older people and disabled people.” WASHINGTON, July 23 (Reuters) - Hi, it’s Jacob Bogage from the Reuters White House team. I’m not here to say, “I told you so,” about Spain winning the FIFA World Cup, but let’s just say I’m pleased with my prediction. Making predictions about the outcome of November’s midterm elections is a much riskier business, especially in an increasingly uncertain environment. Lawmakers are heading home this week for the summer as the Trump administration confronts the mounting costs of the war with Iran – from American casualties and higher military spending to rising gasoline prices. Ask us anything about the midterm elections. Our colleagues will answer questions in the Politics U.S. newsletter every edition between Labor Day, September 7, and Election Day on November 3.

Counting the costs of the Iran war

Casualties and defense spending

Economic fallout and what to watch

Midterm politics and voter frustration

Newsletter introduction and political stakes

Related News

Zurn Elkay declares quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share

China's Geely to make electric SUVs at Ford Spain plant, jointly develop model for Europe

Penske Teamsters Ratify Southcentral, Southeastern Regional Master Agreements

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories holds 42nd annual shareholder meeting via videoconference

ZoomInfo analysis shows Jersey Mike's franchise ownership consolidates ahead of IPO