President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a news conference in Doral, Florida, March 9, 2026. Trump spoke about his administration’s attacks on Iran. (Photo: Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump on Monday told House Republicans gathering in Florida in a political retreat that he expects the Iran war to end “quickly,” although he did not provide a specific date or details on what exactly he wants to do before hostilities end.
“We went on a little trip because we felt we had to do it to get rid of the evil,” he said. “And I think you’ll see that this is going to be a short-lived trip.”
Trump added later in his speech that the US military “will not stand down until the enemy is completely and decisively defeated.”
During a later news conference, Trump said the U.S. military had struck 5,000 sites in Iran but was holding off on bombing some of the country’s larger targets to see if the country’s leaders would allow ships to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
A contributing factor was the danger of traveling on a key shipping route during the war rising oil prices and other market volatility around the world.
“We have saved some of the most important goals for later in case the need arises,” he said. “If we hit them, it will take many years to rebuild them, which will involve electricity production and a lot of other things. So we’re not going to do it if we don’t have to.”
Trump said that “when the time comes,” the U.S. Navy and undisclosed partners will escort the ships through the narrow canal.
“I hope it won’t be necessary,” he said. – But if necessary, we will escort them immediately.
Trump said he was “disappointed” with Iranian leaders over the weekend chosen Mojtaba Khamenei is the country’s novel supreme leader. He is the son of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in military attacks shortly after the war began.
Trump declined to say whether the country’s novel leader could soon become the target of similar military action, saying it would be “inappropriate.”
There are no novel regulations without an electoral act
During his speech and press conference, Trump also focused on legislative proposals to Congress, calling on House Republicans to restructure the bill they’ve already gone through This would require, among other things, proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and identification to cast a ballot.
Trump said he wants the novel bill to include three additional elements.
The first would be nationwide restrictions on absentee ballots unless the person is a member of the military overseas, disabled, diseased or traveling.
Trump told GOP lawmakers to add a provision that would lead to a “ban on men in women’s sports” and language preventing transgender youth from accessing surgery.
“It should be the easiest thing you’ve ever had to pass,” he said.
Trump said that if the House GOP passes the reworked bill, Republicans “will win the midterm elections at a level you can’t even believe.”
He expressed confidence that Republican senators would be able to move such a bill through the chamber, but did not explain in detail how that would happen if the 60-vote legislative filibuster remained in place.
“We will not sign the watered-down version that was sent there. Let’s go for the gold and simply not accept anything else,” Trump said. “I’ll tell you what, I can just tell you that I’m not going to sign anything until it’s approved. Really.”
Democrats unmoved
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said earlier in the day during a floor speech that Trump’s stance would not change Democrats’ minds that the legislation is “Jim Crow 2.0.”
“Donald Trump is effectively saying that unless Congress helps him undermine democracy, he is prepared to hold the rest of the country hostage,” Schumer said. “That’s what he does. He’s a bandit, he’s a tyrant. He can never argue on the merits, so he threatens.”
Schumer said that would mean that any bills approved by Congress to lower the cost of living would not go into effect.
“No bill to lower gas prices. No bill to make groceries cheaper. No bill to increase housing. Not until the Save Act is passed. That’s what Donald Trump is saying,” Schumer said. “Democrats will make sure this never happens.”
