President Donald Trump directed Vice President JD Vance to turn his “complete and total attention” toward alleged corruption and crime in Democratic-controlled cities and states Thursday, declaring the United States no longer needs a deal with Iran.
The directive represents a major shift for Vance, who has played a leading role in the administration’s efforts to negotiate with Tehran and end the months-long conflict, Axios noted.
“I have asked Vice President Vance to focus his complete and total attention on the Massive Corruption and Crime taking place in Democrat run Cities and States throughout the U.S.,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“We don’t need a deal with Iran. Those days have long since passed,” Trump continued. “We’ve got their money, Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and we’ve got their Strait!”
Trump specifically singled out California, Minnesota and Illinois in his broader criticism of Democratic-led governments.
The president’s announcement came after reports that Vance was considering renewed direct negotiations with Iranian officials.
Vance had recently been involved in efforts to establish another ceasefire and restart nuclear negotiations with Tehran, according to Axios.
The vice president previously served as the administration’s lead negotiator during a short-lived truce in the conflict.
Trump, however, has increasingly suggested that economic and military pressure on Tehran has reduced the need for a negotiated settlement.
Earlier this week, Trump said the conflict was “militarily is effectively over,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration believed its economic campaign against Iran was inflicting severe damage.
Vance’s reassignment also comes after he publicly blamed the Iran conflict and its economic consequences for Republicans’ midterm election losses.
“The reason we lost is the war,” Vance wrote following the elections.
“If you’d like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so,” he added. “Argue it was worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that’s at least honest.”
Trump later said Vance’s comments had not damaged their relationship, despite acknowledging that some Republicans disliked the vice president’s assessment.
Vance already has a formal role that could give him a platform for Trump’s new domestic assignment.
Earlier this year, Trump created a Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and placed Vance in charge of the initiative.
The administration has increasingly highlighted fraud involving government programs, particularly in Minnesota, where federal authorities have pursued numerous criminal cases involving taxpayer-funded programs.
Trump has also accused Democratic-led California, Illinois and New York of widespread waste and corruption, although the White House has not provided evidence supporting every financial figure the president has cited.
The new assignment comes as Democrats prepare their own aggressive investigations of Trump and his administration when the new Congress convenes.
Incoming House Democratic committee leaders have discussed investigations involving Trump’s business interests, immigration enforcement, federal contracts and other administration policies.
Trump responded this week by attempting to turn Democrats’ anti-corruption message against them.
After Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said voters wanted Democrats to address “costs, chaos and corruption,” Trump offered to work with the New York senator on corruption while insisting Democratic-run states should receive greater scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the situation with Iran remains unsettled despite Trump’s declaration that a deal is unnecessary.
Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have recovered near prewar levels, but commercial vessels continue relying heavily on U.S. military protection, and recent attacks on tankers have demonstrated continuing instability in the region.
Iranian officials also maintain that diplomatic channels remain open, according to reports.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said U.S. officials had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to help facilitate direct negotiations, although the White House has not confirmed that account.
For now, Trump is making Vance’s immediate assignment clear.
Rather than concentrating on Tehran, the president wants his vice president focused at home — particularly on allegations of fraud, corruption and crime in Democratic-controlled jurisdictions.