Hugh Hewitt Backs Calls for Action on Iran and GOP Loyalty to Trump Agenda

Contributor Hugh Hewitt endorsed military action to accelerate pressure on Iran, agreeing it is time to “finish the job” for a viable peace deal, while strongly supporting Sen. Lindsey Graham’s warning that Republicans who actively oppose President Donald Trump’s agenda face electoral defeat.

Hewitt told host Stuart Varney that Iran is already “bleeding out,” but the process needs to be sped up because the costs to the world of a slow bleed-out are too high. He said he agreed with nearly all of Varney’s points on the issue, with the possible exception of going in to secure uranium, which he described as not pressing. Hewitt anticipated that the Situation Room would show a strong bias for action consistent with what the president has telegraphed. Possible targets could include Kharg Island, other islands, or operations inside the country, potentially involving the IDF, he said.

The discussion then turned to domestic Republican politics following the primary defeat of Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana. Sen. Lindsey Graham attributed Cassidy’s loss directly to his criticism of President Trump.

“There’s no room in this party to destroy his agenda or to destroy him and his family as a Republican,” Graham said. “Democrats can do it all the time. If you align with Democrats like Massie does, you’re going to lose. If you align with Democrats to drive him out of office like Cassidy did, you’re going to lose. I think President Trump’s doing a hell of a good job, and if you try to destroy him, you’re going to get destroyed. That’s the takeaway.”

Hewitt agreed that trying to destroy Trump is a losing strategy for Republicans. He noted that Graham had chosen his words carefully. Hewitt pointed to Vice President J.D. Vance’s recent comments in Maine praising moderate Sen. Susan Collins as “right for Maine,” adding that Donald Trump is not attacking her and that she is expected to win re-election by a wide margin.

In contrast, Hewitt said that in deep red states or deep red congressional districts, sustained complaining and backstabbing against the president carries heavy consequences. He singled out Rep. Thomas Massie, describing him as “nothing but a block,” “a Democrat who pretends to be Republican,” and “addicted to television time.” Hewitt warned that in an era of maximum partisanship, Republicans who “screw around with the President” do so at their own peril, as Trump “will come after you.”

This dynamic has been consistent for ten years, according to Hewitt. He cited examples of Iowa and Indiana state senators who were removed, stating, “If you get taken out like… Bill Cassidy, it’s your own damn fault. Play on the team that sent you. Stay with the people who brought you to the dance. Trump has been orchestrating the dance for ten years. Lindsey’s got it right. Don’t try and destroy him.”

Hewitt described the current political environment as unprecedented in its intensity within his lifetime.