WASHINGTON - Reflecting on his party's losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections, US President Donald Trump said voters agree with his Iran policy but "probably weren’t willing” to accept the short-term cost of paying more for gasoline, as Democrats took control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
"People agree with what I’m doing on Iran, but they really probably weren’t willing to do the short-term consequence of paying more for gasoline, and you know I understand that,” Trump told Fox News in a phone interview.
"I would say to people, it’s a short-term problem, but for long-term gain,” he added.
Trump said gas prices had fallen as low as $1.85 a gallon in Iowa before the US moved against Iran, reiterating his long-standing assertion that prices would drop again "in a short while.”
"I did the right thing historically. I think I'll be judged for having done the right thing, but that gave us an evening that was not that pleasant,” he said.
Asked whether he would take further action against Iran, Trump said: "I don’t want to tell you that … Certainly, if Iran doesn’t behave, I will.”
"If they do, we can sign something up. And if it’s going to be binding and good, and they’re never going to have a nuclear weapon, good. Otherwise,” he said.
Trump said he was "a little bit surprised” by the election results, blaming some losses on candidates who "didn’t inspire” voters.
The remarks came as Democrats were projected by US media to win control of the Senate and appeared on course to secure a majority in the House of Representatives, threatening to constrain Trump's legislative agenda.
Acknowledging the outcome, Trump commended opposition candidates for fighting "hard," while saying it was not a "hit on me.”
On working with a Democratic-controlled Congress for the remaining two years of his term, Trump said: "They’ll send over things that are insane, and I’ll veto them.”
He said he had already received calls from "two senators and three congressmen” from the Democratic Party.
Asked whether he planned changes to his Cabinet, Trump said: "No, I don’t think so. Had nothing to do with my Cabinet.”
Trump said he could work with Democrats on "many, many things,” including immigration, but ruled out cooperation on what he called an "open border.”
Trump also defended his announcement earlier in the day that Washington would end military aid to Israel.
"We give $4 billion a year to Israel, including weapons and other things, which is more than any other country, and people use that, and they don’t need it,” he said, saying it has "become quite rich."
US military assistance to Israel is governed by a 10-year memorandum of understanding, signed under the Obama administration in 2016, covering fiscal years 2019 through 2028.
Under its terms, Washington pledged, subject to congressional appropriation, $38 billion in military aid, or $3.8 billion annually, including $3.3 billion a year in Foreign Military Financing grants and $500 million a year for missile defense. - BERNAMA