Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told Newsmax on Tuesday that Republicans can hold the House in November — if they stay focused on delivering results and avoid a prolonged conflict in Iran.
In an appearance on "The Record With Greta Van Susteren," Meadows said the GOP majority remains within reach, but only if lawmakers "don’t take the next six months off" and President Donald Trump keeps U.S. military action limited and strategic.
"I think fundamentally, if the president continues on to make strategic targeted strikes and that we're out of there and it's not a long, prolonged Afghanistan-like war, then I think it's really a nonevent when it comes to the midterms," he said.
While acknowledging that Iran is currently dominating discussion on Capitol Hill, Meadows suggested its political impact will diminish if the operation is swift and decisive.
"Right now, it's the hot topic here on Capitol Hill," he said, describing the "friction that we're feeling … with Democrats and Republicans."
"If you were to ask someone today whether it is going to affect turnout, the answer would be overwhelmingly yes," Meadows added.
Still, he predicted the issue would be resolved well before voters cast their ballots in the November contests.
"I think that what we'll see is a victory long before November, and it will be something that we're looking at in the rearview mirror instead of looking forward," Meadows said.
He also noted that Trump is closely monitoring the political landscape as voters head to the polls for primary day in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas.
"The president keeps really close tabs on who's winning, who's losing," Meadows said.
Ultimately, he expressed confidence that Republicans can maintain control — but only if they stay active and advance their agenda.
"I’m still bullish on the fact that if the Republicans continue performing on their agenda between now and November, that they don't take the next six months off, that they will keep the House," Meadows said.
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Nicole Weatherholtz ✉
Nicole Weatherholtz, a Newsmax general assignment reporter covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.
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