On Monday, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) criticized the administration’s handling of a foreign conflict, saying a lack of a clear strategy is worsening economic pressures for American households.
Kelly Criticizes US War Strategy
In a post on X sharing a video clip, Kelly wrote, “From the top down, this administration is flailing.”
He added, “The American people can barely afford gas and groceries, and Trump has made it worse by starting a war with no plan for how to end it.”
In the clip, Kelly expanded on his criticism, stating, “They do not know what to do. And that’s what happens when you have a president that gets us into a conflict without any kind of strategic goal, without a plan, without a timeline, with no exit strategy.”
He added that disruptions to global energy routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, were contributing to instability in oil markets.
Kelly argued that rising fuel costs are filtering into broader inflation, saying higher gasoline and diesel prices are “starting to rise” food costs and making it harder for families to afford basic needs.
“People can’t afford their lives,” he said.
US-Iran War Raises Fuel Costs And Economic Strain
Earlier, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S.-Iran war may have slowed quarterly economic growth, citing strong pre-war conditions but acknowledging uncertainty around the conflict’s duration.
He said he relied on corporate and banking data to assess the economy and added that short-term economic pain could be justified for long-term security.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif) criticized President Donald Trump, saying Americans had paid more than $10 billion in extra fuel costs as gas prices remained elevated, with independent data showing national averages above $4 per gallon.
Economist Mark Zandi said the conflict had raised U.S. gasoline costs by an estimated $21.3 billion in six weeks, increasing pressure on households even with temporary tax refund relief of about $47.1 billion.
He warned that energy prices were unlikely to drop quickly and that inflation risks could continue as the refunds phased out.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
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