Key facts
- Trump wrote on social media that correcting criminal activity in Democratic-run cities could quickly balance the budget.
- Trump said of Iran: "We've got their money, Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and we've got their Strait!"
- Vance, seen as a leading 2028 presidential contender, blamed the Iran war for Republicans' midterm election losses.
- Trump has repeatedly targeted Democratic-run cities over immigration policies and alleged corruption since January 2025.
President Donald Trump said on November 12, 2026 that he wanted Vice President JD Vance to focus "his complete and total attention" on any crime and corruption in Democratic-run US cities, saying that effort could save more money than a deal with Iran.
"Our Budget could be quickly BALANCED with the correction of this large scale criminal activity. CORRUPTION is in the Democrat Leadership's blood!" Trump wrote on social media. "We don't need a deal with Iran. Those days have long since passed. We've got their money, Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and we've got their Strait!"
Vance had taken on a role in trying to resolve the conflict with Iran. He distanced himself from the war on November 11, after Republicans' midterm election rout by Democrats, questioning whether it was worth the cost and blaming the Iran war for the party's election losses.
Vance, who is seen as a leading 2028 presidential contender, also said an earlier recommendation to end the war was "sound advice." Trump has repeatedly targeted Democratic-run cities over immigration policies and alleged corruption since taking office in January 2025 for his second White House term.