Trump’s Iran brinkmanship and DHS turmoil test American governance

Historian Heather Cox Richardson argues that President Trump’s erratic misconduct amid an Iran crisis, coupled with ongoing DHS corruption scrutiny and fallout from the Mueller inquiry, converges to challenge democratic norms. The piece notes sanctions relief enabling Iran to sell oil, pressure on oil prices, and risky moves like reallocating ICE/TSA staffing, while public commentary from Panetta, Murphy, and UN officials underscores the danger of war crimes in civilian energy targets and the broader political fragility facing the administration.