White House Advisers 'Getting Screamed at' Over Spiking Gas Prices

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Sources say White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has directed top advisers to come up with concrete ideas to bring down gas prices, which have climbed to their highest level since President Trump took office following US strikes on Iran and Iran's reciprocal hits on Gulf energy infrastructure. Some options under discussion include a short-term suspension of the federal gas tax and using the US military to shield Middle East energy facilities, though the latter idea faces skepticism from Saudi Arabia.

Why it matters

Rising gas prices have become a major political liability for the Trump administration, with some officials "getting screamed at" to find remedies quickly. The issue is seen as a potential disaster for the GOP if prices remain high heading into the next election, as most Americans are more concerned about the cost-of-living crisis affecting their daily lives than long-term geopolitical factors.

The details

Wiles has put gas prices near the top of the West Wing's to-do list, with energy executives describing officials as desperate for "good news" and a pushback to the narrative of rising prices. Among the options under discussion are a short-term suspension of the federal gas tax, though that would require Congressional approval and might not immediately benefit drivers if refiners and gas stations keep the difference. Some officials have also suggested using the US military to shield Middle East energy facilities, an idea viewed skeptically in Saudi Arabia due to sensitivities over US troops on the ground there.

• Crude oil prices briefly neared $78 a barrel.
• Gas prices are averaging about $3.25 a gallon, up from $2.98 per gallon just a week earlier.

What’s next

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