Vance Removed From Iran Talks

President Donald Trump removed Vice President JD Vance from ongoing negotiations with Iran on Thursday. The change in assignment directs Vance to concentrate on corruption and crime in states and cities led by Democrats. Trump indicated that the United States no longer requires a formal deal to end the conflict in the Middle East.

The president posted on Truth Social that the era of seeking a deal with Iran has passed. He stated that the U.S. has secured hundreds of billions of dollars in Iranian funds and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump described the reassignment as a move to have Vance focus his complete and total attention on the massive corruption and crime occurring in Democrat run Cities and States.

Trump specifically named California, Minnesota, and Illinois in his post. He characterized those three states as poorly run, corrupt disasters. The decision came nine days after the midterm elections, during which Republicans suffered sweeping losses. Vance had publicly attributed the party's defeat to the Iran war in a lengthy social media post the morning after the vote.

Vance wrote that the reason for the loss was the war. He challenged critics to argue that losing the Senate for six years was a worthwhile cost. A White House official said the United States remains in a very strong position regarding Iran. The official cited the naval blockade and control of the Strait of Hormuz as key advantages, despite evidence of continuing struggles over the oil route.

The official added that President Trump holds all the cards and will ensure Iran never has a nuclear weapon. Trump told reporters last week that he did not mind Vance's comments about the election. He noted that while many people disliked the remarks, the relationship between the two men remained intact.

The reassignment was part of a series of posts Trump published early Thursday morning. Beginning around 6 a.m., the president threatened new tariffs on Mexico and called for the prosecution of Democratic lawmakers. He declared Democrats corrupt and evil and claimed without evidence that they won the midterms by cheating.

Trump also referenced an invasion of migrants from Mexico in huge caravans. He cast doubt over the election results by referring to them as a perceived loss by Republicans. This aggressive tone marked a shift from his comments on election night. At that time, Trump told Fox News that Democrats had done a good job and conceded that his immigration policies and the war contributed to the party's losses.

Democrats won at least 55 seats in the Senate and are projected to control at least 255 seats in the House. They flipped seats in Republican strongholds including Kansas and Mississippi. The White House's top lawyers warned on Wednesday of possible criminal inquiries into House Democrats who investigate Trump next year. Trump also attacked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for wanting to address corruption within the United States.