Donald Trump says that the war with Iran was worth it, although Republicans lost the midterm elections

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday, in his first public appearance after the midterm elections, that the war with Iran was worth it, even though it contributed to the Republicans’ defeat. Democrats secured a majority in both chambers of Congress following Tuesday’s vote.

Trump acknowledged that the military operation caused a temporary rise in gasoline prices and affected his party’s electoral performance. Nevertheless, the White House leader said he would make the same decision if he could go back in time, arguing that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. He added that he had expected oil prices to rise much more.

Vice President JD Vance had previously identified the conflict as the main cause of the Republicans’ losses and called on the party to acknowledge this. Trump rejected the criticism, however, and argued that Republicans would have won if his name had been on the ballots.

The U.S. president also said he was not afraid of a new impeachment proceeding initiated by Democrats. During the same appearance, at the construction site of the White House’s new ballroom, Trump spoke about the construction and a bunker built five floors beneath the building. Control of both chambers gives Democrats a stronger position from which to pressure the administration during the final two years of the term.