President Donald Trump is scrambling to address rising oil prices in Iowa, a key battleground state ahead of the election. Iowa state representative and Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek criticized Trump’s latest move, invoking the Defense Production Act to boost domestic oil production, as ineffective. “I don’t think that’s going to provide any immediate impact to individuals,” Turek said, emphasizing that temporary gas tax suspensions and diesel export bans would be more helpful.
Trump’s administration also struck a deal with Russia to import diesel, with the first tanker en route, a move Turek dismissed as insufficient. He argued that ending the Iran war, the root cause of high energy costs, should be the priority. Meanwhile, Brent crude prices hit a five-month high, raising concerns about further pain at the pump during the final days of the campaign.
Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson defended Trump’s policies, including the Defense Production Act, but distanced herself from sanction relief on Russia. She urged voters to reject Turek, calling him a “tax-and-spend liberal.” Turek fired back, accusing Hinson of prioritizing personal wealth over Iowans’ struggles with fuel costs.
The Trump administration shows no signs of ending the Iran war soon, with U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz stating that economic pressure on Tehran will continue. The political fallout from high oil prices is likely to intensify as the election approaches.