White House Divided: Trump Aides Debate Dropouts and Escalations

WASHINGTON: A complex tug-of-war within the White House is driving the United States. President Donald Trump’s public statements on the course of the war with Iran have been in flux, with aides debating when and how to declare victory even as the conflict spreads across West Asia.Some officials and advisers have warned Trump of the political costs of soaring gasoline prices, while others have urged him to maintain his offensive against Iran, according to interviews with Trump advisers and others familiar with the matter. Their observations offer a previously unreported glimpse into the decision-making process at the White House as it adjusts its approach to the largest U.S. military operation since the 2003 Iraq War.Economic advisers and officials, including the Treasury Department and the National Economic Council, have warned Trump that an oil crisis and rising prices could quickly erode already weak domestic support for the war, the adviser said. Political advisers including chief of staff Suzy Wells and her deputy James Blair are making similar arguments, sources said.According to people familiar with the matter, hawkish voices urging Trump to maintain military pressure on Iran include Republican lawmakers such as U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton, as well as media commentators such as Mark Levin. They believe the United States must prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and respond forcefully to attacks on U.S. troops and shipping.A third force comes from Trump’s populist base and figures such as strategist Steve Bannon and television personality Tucker Carlson, who have been publicly and privately pressuring Trump and his top aides to avoid becoming embroiled in another conflict.Asked for comment, White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said: “This story is based on gossip and speculation from anonymous sources who were not even in the room to have any discussions with President Trump.” Reuters