Iran War Escalates as U.S. Primaries Begin - “The Sunday Political Brunch” - March 8, 2026

Iran War Escalates as U.S. Primaries Begin - “The Sunday Political Brunch” - March 8, 2026

It’s been a busy week in the world of politics as the war in Iran enters its second week with no end in sight. It is an issue on the minds of voters as the midterm election season continues. Plus, there was a big cabinet shakeup at the White House. Let’s “brunch” on all of this and more this week.

 

“Congress Debates War Powers Resolution” – Many members of Congress, including a fair number of Republicans, thought President Donald Trump should have briefed and consulted with them before taking military action in Iran. He didn’t, so there were efforts to invoke the War Powers Act, which was born out of similar frustrations during the Vietnam War. Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) New York, spoke for the measure, saying, “Do you stand with the American people who are exhausted with forever wars in the Middle East or stand with Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth as they bumble us headfirst into another war?”  But Majority Whip, Sen. John Barrasso (R) Wyoming, countered by saying, “Democrats would rather obstruct Donald Trump than obliterate Iran’s national nuclear program.” A Senate discharge petition to vote on the joint resolution, “to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within the Islamic Republic of Iran,” failed on a vote of 47 yes to 53 no. A similar motion failed in the House on a vote of 212 yes to 219 no. Meanwhile, sources tell the Associated Press that Russia is helping Iran with intelligence to help it strike U.S. military targets in the region.

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“Texas Bar Attack” – There are not just concerns about U.S. casualties on the battlefield, but back at home as well. The military and law enforcement are always concerned about terrorist sleeper cells that may attack on U.S. soil. A day after the first strikes on Iran, a lone gunman opened fire outside a bar in Austin, Texas. He killed two people and wounded 14 others before police shot him to death. The gunman was wearing a t-shirt with an Iranian flag design and the words, “Property of Allah.” Investigators identified him as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne. Investigations say in December he posted on his X account, “THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION IS ETERNAL.” He also called President Trump “a shameless clown,” and posted numerous antisemitic rants. It’s being treated as a terrorist attack.

 

“Markets Plummet – Oil Spikes” – The early days of the military action took their toll on financial and energy markets. Two things the markets don’t like are conflict and uncertainty. The action towards Iran is no exception. On Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted 880 points before rebounding to end the day, down 403 points. By Wednesday, it had regained another 238 points. Then, like a yo-yo, the Dow dropped more than 1,000 points Thursday, before ending the day down 784. Friday started with the Dow dropping another 900 points, then ended the day down 453. The barrel price of oil jumped to $91.16, the largest weekly increase since 1985. AAA says gas prices in the U.S. went up by an average of 34 cents a gallon in just one week. Here in South Florida, gas prices are up 44 cents a gallon.

 

“Fake War Images” – One of the first casualties of any war is the truth, or at least the accuracy of information. The Associated Press debunked a number of images, including a photo purporting to be the body of the dead Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the rubble of his bombed-out headquarters. A digital watermark on the photo proved that it was AI-generated. Another photo supposedly depicts the sinking of the USS Abraham Lincoln, but sources indicate it shows a different ship damaged in 2021. Also, a video on social media depicted dead U.S. troops returning home in coffins. It turns out that was a video from Iraq War casualties in 2011. In this age of information traveling at lightning speed, it’s best to look with a skeptical eye.

 

“Noem Ousted at Homeland Security” – U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is out the door. The embattled secretary faced brutal Congressional comments this past week when she was grilled about border security, ICE deployments, and two protester deaths in Minnesota at the hands of ICE agents. Sen. Dick Durbin (D) Illinois, said, “You and your agency rushed to brand these victims as, quote, domestic terrorists.” He added, “We have ample video evidence and eyewitness testimony proving you are wrong. Your statements caused immeasurable pain to these families.” Even Sen. Thom Tillis (R) North Carolina called Noem’s leadership “a disaster.” Noem will be replaced by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R) Oklahoma. President Trump says Noem will stay in the administration under the newly created post, Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. On Truth Social, Trump said Noem “has had numerous and spectacular results (especially at the Border!”)

 

“North Carolina Showdown” – The first 2026 primaries were held last Tuesday in North Carolina, Texas, and Arkansas. The best chance for Democrats to retake control of the U.S. begins in North Carolina. Former two-term Gov. Roy Cooper (D) easily won his primary, and Michael Whatley, former chair of the Republican National Committee, won the GOP primary. Millions of dollars have already poured into both sides, and this portends to be the most expensive and most consequential Senate race in the midterms. Aside from being elected governor twice, Cooper was elected attorney general four times. That’s unheard of in this fairly red state, but it just proves he can win statewide. The seat is open as Sen. Thom Tillis (R) of North Carolina is retiring.

 

“The Texas Two-Step” -- Things were not as clear in Texas, where you need more than 50 percent of the vote to win a primary. In the GOP Senate primary, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn led with 42 percent, to 41 percent for Attorney General Ken Paxton. Rep. Wesley Hunt (R) Texas, came in third place with 14 percent, but effectively prevented either of the other two from winning a majority. There will be a runoff on May 26, and President Trump has urged either Cornyn or Paxton to drop out before then to avoid a bruising, expensive battle that could weaken the eventual nominee in November. In an upset, Democrats chose State Rep. James Talarico (D) Texas, over U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crocker (D) Texas, who is one of the most vocal critics of President Trump. Talarico, a moderate, has a legitimate shot in November.

 

“The Trump Factor” – Trump stayed on the sidelines in the Texas primary and did not endorse anyone. He promises to endorse Cornyn or Paxton soon, but that may not guarantee anything. Two state reps and one member of the U.S. House who were endorsed by Trump lost their primaries. Here’s another shocker. 53 percent of the votes cast on Tuesday were by Democrats, to 47 percent by Republicans. Democrats outvoted Republicans by almost 110,000 ballots. Given the widespread dissatisfaction with Trump among independent voters, the reliably red state suddenly looks in play in November.

 

“Clinton’s Epstein Testimony Video” – Last week, former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, testified before Congress about their relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While they posted some of their quotes on social media, their video testimony was released this past week. Some of it was scathing. Printed words on the page don’t have the same power as full audio and video. During the closed-door hearing, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R) Colorado took a photo of Mrs. Clinton, then posted it on social media. Mrs. Clinton learned of it during her testimony and angrily responded, saying, “Oh, for heaven’s sake!” She pounded the table, pointed at the committee, and shouted, “It doesn’t matter; we are all abiding by the same rules.” Bill Clinton testified that while he flew on Epstein’s jet numerous times, he never saw anything illegal, saying, “No, I never saw him do anything that I was suspicious of.” Hillary Clinton suggested that President Trump should testify. Bill Clinton made no such recommendation. On Wednesday, the committee subpoenaed Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify.