During a swing through Iowa Tuesday, President Donald Trump told voters that this fall’s midterm elections could determine whether his agenda survives or stalls in Washington. Iowa could be the state that tips the balance.“I mean, I’m here because I love Iowa, but I’m here because we’re starting the campaign to win the midterms. We’ve got to win the midterms,” Trump told supporters.The president’s visit put Iowa in the national spotlight, as he worked to rally Republicans and lock in support more than nine months before Election Day. With multiple competitive congressional races and an open U.S. Senate seat, Trump argued Iowa voters could decide whether his top priorities make it through Congress.Trump used the rally to thank Iowans for helping return him to the White House and to remind them of his past victories in the state.“Exactly two years ago, it was the people of Iowa who put us on a rocket ship back to the White House,” Trump said.Now, he says, he needs those same voters to turn out again, even though his name will not be on the ballot. “I hope you remember us for the midterms,” Trump said.Trump warned supporters that losing control of Congress would have immediate consequences.“If we lose the midterms, you’ll lose so many of the things that we’re talking about, so many of the assets that we’re talking about, so many of the tax cuts that we’re talking about,” he said.Political analysts say the timing of Trump’s visit is notable. Presidents typically wait much longer before actively campaigning in midterm races, but University of Iowa political science professor Tim Hagle says Trump is trying to define the narrative early.“It doesn’t hurt for Trump to get out and say, look, these are wins, at least from his perspective,” Hagle said.Hagle also says Democrats see opportunities in Iowa this fall, which is why Republicans are trying to energize their base now.“If all of a sudden, you know, for months and months and months, all the Republican voters are seeing is this negative stuff, criticisms of Trump administration, whether it’s on immigration or the economy or whatever it is, that kind of wears on the voters,” Hagle said. “To prevent that, you get out there, and you try to keep your base sufficiently energized.”Republican Congressman Zach Nunn echoed that urgency, warning the crowd that Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District is among the most competitive in the country.Nunn told the crowd that, if he loses his seat, Democrats will regain control of the U.S. House. If that happens, he said the Democratic House Speaker will “call for President Donald Trump’s impeachment.””On day two, he’s going to take all the great things we’ve done here and raise our taxes,” Nunn said. “And on day three, four, five, 365 days, this country is going to be locked in something not that works to go forward, as we’ve seen in this last year, but in a constant battle.”Democrats are also campaigning early in Iowa, arguing their policy priorities would better address affordability concerns. In a statement, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in part, “Iowa families are seeing their paychecks shrink, health care get more expensive, and jobs disappear — all thanks to Donald Trump.””Democrats are fighting to lower Iowans’ costs, restore the agricultural economy for our farmers and families, and keep health care prices in check,” Martin said.As both parties ramp up their efforts, Trump’s visit cemented Iowa as a key state ahead of the midterms. With control of Congress on the line, what happens here this fall could help shape the direction of Washington for the next two years.Immigration policy draws cheers inside, protests outsideImmigration was one of the most polarizing issues of the night, drawing loud applause inside the Horizon Events Center in Clive as outrage filled the streets outside the event.The speech came just days after two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by federal immigration agents in Minnesota. Trump did not address those deaths directly. Instead, he criticized former President Joe Biden’s border policies and claimed tougher enforcement has reduced crime.“We’ve totally and completely closed the southern border with little fanfare but tremendous success. The southern border is closed. Nobody’s coming in,” Trump said, prompting cheers from the crowd. Outside the venue, protesters gathered despite frigid temperatures to condemn what they described as an increasingly aggressive and dangerous approach to immigration enforcement.“My message to Donald Trump, and all of his weirdo acolytes, is that there is no hate in our state. They need to get out,” protester Heather Ryan said. Congress “working on” ethanol dealTrump also used his Iowa stop to make an announcement about ethanol.He reminded the crowd of a promise he made during his 2024 presidential campaign to support year-round E15, gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol made primarily from Iowa corn.“In the campaign, I promised to support E15 all year round,” Trump said.Right now, federal rules limit when E15 can be sold. Supporters say that restriction often keeps a cheaper fuel option off the market and cuts into demand for Iowa corn, especially as farmers face low commodity prices and high input costs.Trump told the crowd he believes congressional leaders are close to a deal, but he stopped short of announcing a breakthrough.“I am trusting Speaker Mike Johnson and Leader John Thune to find a deal for farmers, consumers, refiners, including small and midsized refiners, in other words, to get E15 approved, and they’re working on it, and they’re very close to getting it done,” Trump said.The comment drew cheers from the audience. Trump said he would sign a bill immediately if it reaches his desk.In a statement, the executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board said he was encouraged by the president’s “strong support for ethanol,” but added, “e need the Trump administration to finalize these rules immediately so our plants can survive, our farmers can thrive, and rural Iowa doesn’t get left behind in America’s energy future.”
During a swing through Iowa Tuesday, President Donald Trump told voters that this fall’s midterm elections could determine whether his agenda survives or stalls in Washington. Iowa could be the state that tips the balance.
“I mean, I’m here because I love Iowa, but I’m here because we’re starting the campaign to win the midterms. We’ve got to win the midterms,” Trump told supporters.
The president’s visit put Iowa in the national spotlight, as he worked to rally Republicans and lock in support more than nine months before Election Day. With multiple competitive congressional races and an open U.S. Senate seat, Trump argued Iowa voters could decide whether his top priorities make it through Congress.
Trump used the rally to thank Iowans for helping return him to the White House and to remind them of his past victories in the state.
“Exactly two years ago, it was the people of Iowa who put us on a rocket ship back to the White House,” Trump said.
Now, he says, he needs those same voters to turn out again, even though his name will not be on the ballot. “I hope you remember us for the midterms,” Trump said.
Trump warned supporters that losing control of Congress would have immediate consequences.
“If we lose the midterms, you’ll lose so many of the things that we’re talking about, so many of the assets that we’re talking about, so many of the tax cuts that we’re talking about,” he said.
Political analysts say the timing of Trump’s visit is notable. Presidents typically wait much longer before actively campaigning in midterm races, but University of Iowa political science professor Tim Hagle says Trump is trying to define the narrative early.
“It doesn’t hurt for Trump to get out and say, look, these are wins, at least from his perspective,” Hagle said.
Hagle also says Democrats see opportunities in Iowa this fall, which is why Republicans are trying to energize their base now.
“If all of a sudden, you know, for months and months and months, all the Republican voters are seeing is this negative stuff, criticisms of Trump administration, whether it’s on immigration or the economy or whatever it is, that kind of wears on the voters,” Hagle said. “To prevent that, you get out there, and you try to keep your base sufficiently energized.”
Republican Congressman Zach Nunn echoed that urgency, warning the crowd that Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District is among the most competitive in the country.
Nunn told the crowd that, if he loses his seat, Democrats will regain control of the U.S. House. If that happens, he said the Democratic House Speaker will “call for President Donald Trump’s impeachment.”
“On day two, he’s going to take all the great things we’ve done here and raise our taxes,” Nunn said. “And on day three, four, five, 365 days, this country is going to be locked in something not that works to go forward, as we’ve seen in this last year, but in a constant battle.”
Democrats are also campaigning early in Iowa, arguing their policy priorities would better address affordability concerns.
In a statement, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in part, “Iowa families are seeing their paychecks shrink, health care get more expensive, and jobs disappear — all thanks to Donald Trump.”
“Democrats are fighting to lower Iowans’ costs, restore the agricultural economy for our farmers and families, and keep health care prices in check,” Martin said.
As both parties ramp up their efforts, Trump’s visit cemented Iowa as a key state ahead of the midterms. With control of Congress on the line, what happens here this fall could help shape the direction of Washington for the next two years.
Immigration policy draws cheers inside, protests outside
Immigration was one of the most polarizing issues of the night, drawing loud applause inside the Horizon Events Center in Clive as outrage filled the streets outside the event.
The speech came just days after two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by federal immigration agents in Minnesota. Trump did not address those deaths directly. Instead, he criticized former President Joe Biden’s border policies and claimed tougher enforcement has reduced crime.
“We’ve totally and completely closed the southern border with little fanfare but tremendous success. The southern border is closed. Nobody’s coming in,” Trump said, prompting cheers from the crowd.
Outside the venue, protesters gathered despite frigid temperatures to condemn what they described as an increasingly aggressive and dangerous approach to immigration enforcement.
“My message to Donald Trump, and all of his weirdo acolytes, is that there is no hate in our state. They need to get out,” protester Heather Ryan said.
Congress “working on” ethanol deal
Trump also used his Iowa stop to make an announcement about ethanol.
He reminded the crowd of a promise he made during his 2024 presidential campaign to support year-round E15, gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol made primarily from Iowa corn.
“In the campaign, I promised to support E15 all year round,” Trump said.
Right now, federal rules limit when E15 can be sold. Supporters say that restriction often keeps a cheaper fuel option off the market and cuts into demand for Iowa corn, especially as farmers face low commodity prices and high input costs.
Trump told the crowd he believes congressional leaders are close to a deal, but he stopped short of announcing a breakthrough.
“I am trusting Speaker Mike Johnson and Leader John Thune to find a deal for farmers, consumers, refiners, including small and midsized refiners, in other words, to get E15 approved, and they’re working on it, and they’re very close to getting it done,” Trump said.
The comment drew cheers from the audience. Trump said he would sign a bill immediately if it reaches his desk.
In a statement, the executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board said he was encouraged by the president’s “strong support for ethanol,” but added, “[w]e need the Trump administration to finalize these rules immediately so our plants can survive, our farmers can thrive, and rural Iowa doesn’t get left behind in America’s energy future.”