Republicans blame Iran war for midterm losses as Pete Hegseth faces scrutiny

Internal critics within the administration are blaming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for helping lead President Donald Trump into a war that caused massive Republican losses in Tuesday's midterm elections, The Hill reported. The BBC and BBC News US both report that Vice-President JD Vance blamed the defeat squarely on the Iran war, writing in a statement on X that the reason the party lost was the war. [1][3][4]

The United States began the war in Iran in February 2026, according to the BBC. BBC Politics reported that the election results saw Democrats sweep Republicans out of power in Congress, while Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stated in an NPR Politics interview that ending the war and lowering costs are key Democratic priorities. [2][5]

The Republican defeat has drawn criticism from international allies. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stated that President Trump broke a promise to the American public by launching the war, expressing concern that the president might aggressively continue the conflict following the election disaster, BBC Politics reported. [2]

Trump selected JD Vance as his vice-presidential running mate during the Republican National Convention in July 2024, prior to winning the presidential election that November. [13]

The midterm election results have complicated options for the conflict moving forward. As Congressional leadership changes, Hegseth faces potential fallout and looming investigations by incoming Democratic lawmakers, ABC News and The New York Times reported. [6][10]