Trump faces divided party and congressional pressure over Iran war

President Trump is navigating a divided Republican Party and a looming Democratic majority in Congress as he weighs renewed strikes against Iran. Following the midterm elections, Vice President JD Vance publicly blamed the war for the GOP's electoral losses, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces a bipartisan push for impeachment over his handling of the conflict and alleged misleading of the president regarding war risks.

Hegseth orchestrated a controversial wartime purge of military leadership and has been scrutinized for munitions shortages after eight months of conflict. Despite Vance's criticism, Trump maintained that the war was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, though he is surveying advisors as potential pressure mounts on the Defense Secretary's position.

With Democrats set to control Congress by January 3, the new majority is expected to withhold defense funding unless the administration ends the conflict. Trump has roughly two months to act before the new Congress is sworn in, with Democrats signaling a willingness to shut down the government over war funding if necessary.

Read the full story at latimes.com.