Trending Now - Trump Advisers Express Alarm Over Potential Nuclear Conflict
WHO:
Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security during Trump’s first term.
JD Vance, Vice President of the United States.
President Donald Trump
Vice President JD Vance
Nicolás Maduro, President of Venezuela
President Vladimir Putin
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Matthew Yglesias, Bloomberg News reporter
Politico reporters Diana Nerozzi and Eli Stokols
WHAT:
Taylor warned that Trump could get the U.S. into a nuclear war for which it is not prepared, stating, “Few Americans realize how close the president took us to the brink of nuclear war in his first term before aides talked him down.”
Taylor noted that during Trump’s first year in office, “the United States came closer to a nuclear conflict than most people realize.”
Taylor described an incident where Trump, during a missile crisis with North Korea, was more focused on deportations than national security, saying, “A nuclear-capable missile had just ripped through the skies over the Pacific, and the president of the United States was oblivious.”
Trump ordered strikes on Iran’s nuclear program in June 2025.
Vance used the word “incredible” or “incredibly” four times in less than one minute during a Sunday show after the June strikes.
Vance defended the legality of Trump’s operation to capture Nicolás Maduro in January 2026.
Vance has not publicly supported the war with Iran since it began two weeks prior to March 13, 2026.
Vance stated, “I hate to disappoint you, but I’m not going to show up here and, in front of God and everybody else, tell you exactly what I said in that classified room.”
Vance assured that the war wouldn’t be a prolonged one.
Vance posted eight times on his personal account since the war began.
Vance expressed skepticism about U.S. striking Iran before Trump’s decision to launch the war.
One Trump official described Vance as “skeptical” and “worried about success” regarding the war with Iran.
WHERE:
North Carolina (location of Vance's remarks)
Situation Room (referenced by Vance)
WHEN:
The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces occurred in February 2022.
Trump ordered strikes on Iran’s nuclear program in June 2025.
Vance defended the legality of the operation to capture Maduro in January 2026.
The war with Iran began two weeks prior to March 13, 2026.
Vance made his comments on March 13, 2026.
WHY:
Taylor expressed concern that “everything that kept him in check” is now gone, implying a lack of restraint on Trump’s actions.
Vance has long questioned U.S. intervention abroad and initially counseled against another Middle East war.
Vance’s lack of strong public support may be a political liability as the war polls poorly.
HOW:
Taylor indicated that DHS had to prepare for the “genuine possibility” that Trump “might stumble us into a nuclear confrontation with North Korea.”
Vance has avoided giving his personal view on the war in public statements.
Vance has shifted his stance to support Trump’s military actions after initially expressing reservations.
(UPDATED March 14, 2026 01:25 UTC)
Miles Taylor, who served as chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security during Trump's first term, has raised alarming concerns about the potential for Trump to lead the U.S. into a nuclear war, stating that many Americans are unaware of how close the country came to such a conflict during that time. Taylor recounted a specific incident involving a missile crisis with North Korea, where he noted that Trump was more focused on deportations than on national security, highlighting a troubling lack of awareness during a critical moment. He emphasized that with everything that previously kept Trump in check now gone, there is a genuine risk that Trump could inadvertently stumble the nation into a nuclear confrontation.
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(UPDATED March 13, 2026 23:12 UTC)
In a significant development today, Vice President JD Vance defended President Trump's military actions in a war with Iran that began two weeks ago, while also expressing skepticism about the conflict and its potential duration. Vance, who previously questioned U.S. intervention abroad, has not publicly supported the war since it started and has made eight posts on social media since then, but he assured that the war would not be prolonged. His remarks came during a press event in North Carolina, where he also discussed the legality of Trump's operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which took place in January 2026.