The Rachel Maddow Show Trump frantic over Iran mess as rival nations take advantage of his poor planning
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Mar 17, 2026 
Michelle Hackman, Wall Street Journal reporter on DHS and detention issues, and Cory Booker, U.S. Senator on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They discuss deepwater drilling risks and Gulf pipeline restarts. They examine Strait of Hormuz confusion and who profits geopolitically. They outline Senate war powers maneuvers and oversight plans. They also cover DHS mismanagement and detention facility failures.
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False Navy Escort Tweet Shook Markets
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright tweeted the U.S. Navy was escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz when it was not, briefly moving markets and oil prices.
- Wright deleted the tweet, causing market swings that exposed poor messaging and competence in the administration.
Allies Didn't Join Hormuz Escort Plan
- Trump repeatedly claimed allies would escort ships in the Strait of Hormuz, then insulted them when they didn't, while U.S. military leaders warned escorts would create a 'kill box.'
- Allies checked and none committed, revealing a gap between presidential rhetoric and operational reality.
Russia Gains From Chaos While U.S. Eases Sanctions
- Russia benefited materially from rising oil prices and reportedly provided military cooperation to Iran, while the Trump administration simultaneously eased sanctions on Russia.
- The DOJ sought to reverse a guilty plea by a person linked to Russian intelligence, raising questions about administration priorities during the war.