Van Hollen Doubts Iran Deal and Calls for Guardrails on DOJ Fund

In a Face the Nation interview, Sen. Chris Van Hollen criticizes the proposed Iran deal as likely to widen U.S. involvement and grant Iran more control over the Strait of Hormuz, urging policymakers to stop “digging” and focus on domestic costs. He also denounces the DOJ’s $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund as a political slush fund and pushes for guardrails (e.g., excluding Jan. 6 rioters) and transparency. Van Hollen welcomes the judge’s dismissal of the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case as vindictive and questions the DOJ’s actions, while calling the Democratic National Committee’s election autopsy incomplete and arguing Democrats must address economic pain and avoid leadership changes six months before the next election.