Trump's first term demonstrated a clear stance against Iran obtaining nuclear weapons and a maximum economic pressure campaign. The current administration's perceived weakness has emboldened Iran, leading to increased threats and actions against U.S. interests. Trump's policy is expected to be more muscular, enforcing existing sanctions and potentially introducing new ones to curb Iran's aggressive behavior.
The priorities include securing the border, reversing the open border policy, strengthening fiscal policies to prevent a $4 trillion tax increase, ensuring national and energy security, and addressing border security as a critical issue. The Senate aims to deliver on these priorities to fulfill the mandate given by the American people.
Thune intends to open the Senate and allow its talent to shine, emphasizing teamwork and collaboration. He aims to empower senators to advance legislative priorities and dedicate significant time to the committee process, fostering robust opportunities for amendments and ensuring the Senate functions effectively as a team.
Thune believes the Senate will be a good partner in ensuring America's national security interests are addressed, supporting a resolution in conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza. He emphasizes the importance of projecting strength to deter adversaries, contrasting with the current administration's perceived weakness.
Ortagus expects a continuation of Trump's tough stance against Iran obtaining nuclear weapons and a more stringent enforcement of existing sanctions. She anticipates a more muscular policy that could include targeting Iran's oil income and addressing the increased aggression from Iranian proxies like the Houthis.
Tomorrow, Republican Senators will determine who will lead them when the GOP becomes the majority party in January. The three contenders are Senators John Thune from South Dakota, John Cornyn from Texas, and Rick Scott from Florida. President-elect Trump has yet to reveal his preferred candidate, with many hoping he will keep from influencing this contest. Senator John Thune (R-SD) joins the Rundown to discuss his candidacy for Senate Majority Leader and what he thinks his party can accomplish after all its success in last week's election.
Last week, federal prosecutors announced charges in a thwarted plot from the Iranian government to assassinate Donald Trump before Election Day. The IRGC is denying these charges; however, many in the intelligence community can confirm that Iran’s targeting of the President-elect and those in his administration has been a problem since 2020. So how will President-elect Trump deal with Iran when he takes office? Former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus explains the Iranian government's longstanding hostilities towards Trump and how a Trump White House would come down harder on Iran by enforcing sanctions.
Plus, commentary by columnist David Marcus.
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