WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s attempts to find a way out of the Iranian conflict are creating friction within GOP ranks.
The Republican Party hasn’t faced this kind of internal testing since Trump’s “America First” philosophy gained prominence a decade ago by opposing overseas military engagements. His current strategy — combining threats of destruction with a shaky ceasefire agreement — has failed to mask divisions that have grown over the six weeks since hostilities began.
Conservative activist Laura Loomer, typically one of Trump’s strongest advocates, criticized the idea of making any agreement with Iran. She also questioned Vice President JD Vance’s leadership role in negotiations scheduled to begin Saturday in Pakistan, as Vance positions himself for a possible 2028 presidential campaign.
“I support President Trump,” Loomer said in an interview. “I just don’t believe in negotiating with Islamic terrorists.”
Vance’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Former Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has shifted from Trump supporter to critic, demanded the president’s removal under the 25th Amendment following his recent statement that a “whole civilization will die tonight” without an Iranian agreement. Podcaster Megyn Kelly, formerly with Fox News, delivered a harsh rebuke of Trump and questioned, “Can’t he just behave like a normal human?”
On a recent episode of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” the host joked about whether their program or the ceasefire would conclude first.
Congressional Republican leadership has remained mostly quiet despite mounting criticism. Many privately worry about Trump’s social media threats and the war’s potential impact during an election year. With Congress in recess through early April, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota have provided minimal public response to Trump’s actions.
Some lawmakers cited the rapidly changing situation as a reason for their silence.
“How do you go up and give a presentation or speech in a situation where every 12 hours, the baseline story has a new gradient?” said Rep. Dave Schweikert, an Arizona Republican running for governor. “In many ways, it is the sin of arrogance thinking you can go out and talk about something when the story is still unfolding.”
This uncertainty leaves Republicans in a precarious position, mirroring the war’s unstable status. The party already confronts challenging prospects for November’s midterm elections, with some hoping voters will have moved past Iran by then.
“My hope is that it will be long behind us by the time votes are cast,” said veteran Republican strategist Chris Wilson. “Fortunately for the GOP, foreign policy flare-ups rarely decide midterm elections on their own, especially when voters are far more focused on the economy and prices at home.”
Currently, Trump and his administration project confidence. The president celebrated a “big day for World Peace” when the ceasefire was initially announced. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a “victory for the United States of America that the president and our incredible military made happen.”
Trump responded to critics on social media, calling detractors like Kelly “stupid people” who will “say anything necessary for some ‘free’ and cheap publicity.”
Several congressional supporters defend Trump against claims he’s become too involved overseas while neglecting domestic issues.
“Part of America First is making sure that the homeland stays safe and Iran is a factor in our safety,” said Rep. David Kustoff of Tennessee. “We are all hopeful that the ceasefire does hold and that Iran lives up to their side of the agreement.”
Historically, the president’s party loses congressional seats during midterm years, and recent election results provide additional GOP concerns.
Republican Clay Fuller captured Greene’s former district by approximately 12 percentage points, compared to her 29-point victory two years prior and Trump’s nearly 37-point district win. In Wisconsin, the liberal state Supreme Court majority expanded when a Democratic-backed candidate won decisively.
This continues a pattern of strong Democratic performances in recent contests, including in the Florida legislative district containing Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property.
According to Associated Press-NORC Center polling from last month, only about 40% of Americans approve of Trump’s presidential performance. This figure has remained steady since his January 2025 return to office but matches his standing during his first term when Democrats gained 40 House seats in 2018.
While Trump maintains solid Republican support, there are indications he could alienate supporters if America becomes mired in extended warfare. Though 63% of Republicans support airstrikes on Iranian military installations according to the March survey, only 20% favor deploying American ground forces. Rising fuel costs present another challenge, with roughly 60% of Republicans expressing concern about affording gasoline in coming months, though they’re less worried than other Americans.
Republicans who have engaged with constituents during recess believe the party has political space to manage the war situation.
Kustoff reported that voters throughout his rural northwestern Tennessee district appeared “generally supportive” of Trump’s Iran policies, even amid higher gas prices.
“My takeaway is that people are willing to endure some short-term pain as it relates to gas prices if the situation with Iran is resolved,” he explained.
However, returning lawmakers face several challenging decisions next week.
When the war started, some GOP members said Trump would need congressional authorization if fighting continued beyond 60 days, a deadline approaching late April if the ceasefire collapses. The administration wants billions in additional war funding, creating a vote that could complicate budget-conscious Republicans’ fall campaigns.
Democrats plan to force another vote on a war powers resolution limiting Trump’s Iran options. While a similar measure failed last month, another vote could pressure Republicans depending on ceasefire developments.
Schweikert characterized the war powers vote as the “dance of parties.”
“Their job is to try to embarrass us and our job as the majority is to try to make things work,” he said. “It’s just the job.”
