The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle Pressure rising on Trump as economic consequences of Iran war increase
Mar 13, 2026
Miles Taylor, former DHS chief of staff with homeland security and counterterrorism experience, and Tom Nichols, Naval War College professor emeritus and national security commentator, discuss rising oil prices and market turmoil tied to the Iran conflict. They examine risks to maritime trade, shifting global winners of higher energy prices, and how DHS funding gaps strain airport operations and counterterrorism readiness.
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Market Turmoil Raises Political Pressure On The President
- Market pressure is a key lever on the president; high oil and falling stocks increase his incentive to seek an off-ramp.
- David Drucker reported investors telling him the president is feeling pressure and desires to leave the conflict.
Shifting War Aims Create Political Accountability Risks
- The administration's public war aims narrowed after initial grand claims, leaving credibility gaps if regime change fails.
- Tom Nichols argued the president started with regime-change rhetoric and is now retrofitting limited objectives like sinking the navy.
Use Congressional Appropriations To Shape War Policy
- Congress holds the power of the purse to limit war scope and fund military operations; expect scrutiny over war spending.
- Peter Baker said Republicans may back funding short-term, but Democrats will argue money was diverted from domestic priorities.