US President Donald Trump rallied supporters in Iowa on Tuesday, pitching his record on border security and the economy as concerns grow over immigration tactics, farm finances, and political fallout ahead of the midterms.
Speaking to supporters, Trump said the United States has “secured the border,” claiming illegal immigration has sharply declined and that no one is entering the country unlawfully anymore.
He also said oil prices in the US have fallen, thousands of criminals have been deported, and nearly $18 trillion in investment is expected to flow into the country due to his administration’s economic policies.
Military strength, tariffs, foreign policy
Trump told the crowd the US military has been significantly strengthened and argued that tariffs are boosting American industries and protecting domestic manufacturing.
He also claimed that Venezuela holds the world’s largest oil reserves after Saudi Arabia and said Washington now enjoys strong relations and commercial dealings with Caracas. Trump further asserted that Cuba’s government would collapse soon.
The rally took place in Iowa, a key Midwestern battleground just south of Minnesota, where tensions were escalating over immigration enforcement.
Across the US, voters remain worried about consumer prices. In farm states, weak crop prices, high fertilizer and equipment costs, and uncertainty over trade with China are testing farmers’ patience.
White House message overshadowed
Trump’s White House was grappling with a crisis in neighboring Minnesota after federal immigration agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen, during a protest in Minneapolis on Saturday.
Also Read: Minneapolis shooting: Trump blasts Alex Pretti for carrying gun
Pretti was the second American fatally shot by federal immigration officers this month in the city, where Trump has deployed thousands of armed and masked agents, sparking widespread protests and calls for independent investigations.
Farmers voice frustration
Iowa is the nation’s largest producer of corn, hogs, and ethanol and hosts several key congressional races in November.
Lance Lillibridge, a 56-year-old Iowa corn and cattle farmer, said trade tensions with China and rising input costs have left him cash-strapped, despite generally supporting Trump. He hopes the administration will pursue another multibillion-dollar farm bailout.
Even as Trump argued he was bringing costs down, the US dollar sank to a near four-year low against a basket of currencies on Tuesday.
Economist Michael Strain of the American Enterprise Institute said the administration lacks a clear economic plan, criticizing tariff policies, deficit spending, and pressure on the Federal Reserve.
Erosion of public support
A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed only 30% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the rising cost of living, while 59% disapprove.
Republicans are defending narrow congressional majorities in November, when the president’s party typically loses seats. Iowa alone will host two highly competitive US House races.
Stress in the farm sector has been mounting, with unsold equipment, shrinking agribusiness earnings, and weak crop prices for a third straight year.
Delays in finalizing biofuel-blending quotas for 2026, known as renewable volume obligations, and tax guidance for renewable-fuel credits (45Z) have further hurt producers.
Ethanol policy delays hit Iowa biodiesel
Trump said Republican leaders are close to passing legislation allowing year-round sales of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol.
However, Iowa’s biodiesel plants produced 244 million gallons in 2025, down 31% from 2024, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, despite a capacity exceeding 400 million gallons annually.
Amid growing outrage, Trump’s border czar Tom Homan met with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Tuesday.
Homan replaced Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino and was tasked with easing tensions and recalibrating enforcement tactics, moving away from broad neighbourhood sweeps toward more targeted operations.
Calls for de-escalation, accountability
Mayor Frey urged that Operation Metro Surge end as quickly as possible, while Governor Walz pressed for impartial investigations into the two fatal shootings and a reduction in the 3,000 federal agents deployed.
Homan described the talks as a “productive starting point,” though tensions in Minneapolis remained high.
Speaking on Fox News, Trump said his administration would “de-escalate a little bit” in Minnesota but insisted it was not a full pullback.
He reaffirmed confidence in Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, despite calls from Democrats for her dismissal or impeachment, and met her for two hours at the White House on Monday.
Political fallout grows ahead of midterms
The killing of Pretti, following the earlier death of Renee Good, has become a major political crisis, with some Republicans joining calls for investigations.
Public support for Trump’s immigration tactics has waned, placing Republicans on the defensive as November’s midterm elections approach.
