¶ Overview
John James supported Trump’s war with Iran and repeatedly praised Trump’s military actions against Iran. James defended the U.S. air strikes on Iran, declared “America’s worth fighting for,” and later admitted that gas prices above $4 per gallon “hurts everybody around the state, around the country.” Despite acknowledging those concerns, James doubled down on his support for Trump’s war with Iran and later voted against resolutions directing the president to end U.S. military involvement in Iran without congressional authorization.
Trump’s war with Iran triggered an increase in gas prices for Michiganders, with prices rising more than 61 percent after the conflict started. The war also drove up fuel and fertilizer costs for Michigan farmers, increasing financial pressure during planting season and threatening farm profitability.
Experts also warned the Iran war could increase grocery prices, reduce crop yields, and further strain the food supply chain. Independent grocery store owners warned rising fuel surcharges and wholesale prices increased financial pressure during the Iran war.
¶ James Supported Trump’s War In Iran
¶ James Backed Trump’s War In Iran And Repeatedly Praised Trump’s Military Actions
¶ John James Backed The U.S. Military Strikes On Iran, Framed The Attack As A Response To Iranian “Decades Of Terror,” And Declared “America’s Worth Fighting For”
February 28, 2026: James Supported The U.S. Military Air Strikes In Iran And Said The Iranian Regime’s “Decades Of Terror…Must Be Answered For.” According to Mlive, “U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, supported the military action in Iran in a statement on his X account. ‘The Iranian regime’s decades of terror—costing American soldiers and innocents life and limb—must be answered for,’ James who is running for governor, said. ‘Appeasement invites war; their threats to America must end.’ Despite his support for the strikes, James said he hates war. ‘No one hates war more than a vet. But America’s worth fighting for. Freedom’s worth fighting for,’ he said. ‘Pray for our troops, our President, and the Iranian people. God Bless America.’” [Mlive, 2/28/26]
February 28, 2026: James Defended The U.S. Military Air Strike On Iran Against Iranian “Decades Of Terror” And Said “America’s Worth Fighting For.” According to James’ Twitter, “The Iranian regime’s decades of terror—costing American soldiers and innocents life and limb—must be answered for. Appeasement invites war; their threats to America must end. I hate war. No one hates war more than a vet. But America’s worth fighting for. Freedom’s worth fighting for. Pray for our troops, our President, and the Iranian people. God Bless America.”
[Twitter, @JohnJamesMI, 2/28/26]
March 2026: James Praised Trump And Applauded Efforts To Protect The United States From Iran. According to James’ Twitter, “President @realDonaldTrump is making decisions that keep America safe. I not only support but applaud the President’s efforts to protect our nation from a regime that has chanted ‘Death to America’ for decades. 🎙️🇺🇸: @bennyjohnson.”
[Twitter, @JohnJamesMI, 3/5/26]
February 28, 2026: The U.S. Launched Strikes Against Iran And Iran Retaliated Against American Military Bases. According to the New York Times, "Feb. 28: The United States and Israel launched strikes across Iran, hitting a government compound in Tehran and military targets. The blasts killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the nation’s supreme leader for almost 37 years, as well as other high-level military and intelligence leaders. At least 175 people, most of them likely children, were killed in a strike on a girls’ elementary school in southern Iran, health officials and Iranian state media said. The strike was a targeting mistake by the U.S. military, according to U.S. officials familiar with a military investigation. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones at Israel and at U.S. military bases in the region, including in Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates." [New York Times, 5/2/26]
¶ The War In Iran Caused Higher Gas Prices In Michigan
¶ May 2026: Michiganders Were Paying An Average Of $4.70 Per Gallon, A More Than 61% Increase From Before The Iran War Began
¶ Gas Prices In Michigan Increased To An Average Of $4.70 Per Gallon, Increasing More Than 61 Percent Since The Iran War Began
AAA: As Of May 22, 2026, Michiganders Were Paying $4.70 For Gas. According to AAA,
[AAA, Accessed 5/22/26]
¶ Before The Iran War Began, Michiganders Were Paying An Average Gas Price Of $3
Center For American Progress: February 2026: Michiganders Were Paying $3.00 For Gas, Before The Iran War Began And Gas Prices Rose By Over 61%. According to the Center for American Progress,
[Center For American Progress, 5/18/26]
¶ The Iran War Drove Up Fuel And Fertilizer Costs, Increasing Financial Pressure On Michigan Farmers
¶ The Iran War Increased Fuel And Fertilizer Costs For Michigan Farmers
¶ Michigan Farmers Warned Rising Fuel And Fertilizer Costs During The Iran War Increased Financial Pressure And Threatened Farm Profitability
HEADLINE: "Michigan Farms ‘Losing Money On Every Acre’ As War Spikes Costs" [Bridge Michigan, 4/30/26]
April 2026: Michigan Farmer John Delmotte Warned Rising Fertilizer And Diesel Prices During The Iran War Increased Financial Pressure Ahead Of Planting Season. According to Bridge Michigan, "As Michigan farmers prepare for planting season, higher prices for fertilizer and diesel — both sparked by the war with Iran — are making a stressful planting season for Michigan farmers, some of whom are already barely holding on financially. Farm diesel prices have jumped from an average of $2.94 a gallon last summer to $4.57 currently, with most of the increase occurring in the two months since the US attacked Iran and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a quarter of the world’s oil supply normally travels. That’s a huge difference for farmers with equipment that can suck a half-gallon of diesel or more per acre, a typical acre of corn getting between three and five passes over the course of a growing season. The math for Delmotte, who farms 1,200 acres: an additional $6,000 to $10,000 in fuel costs." [Bridge Michigan, 4/30/26]
¶ Experts Warned Rising Fertilizer Costs During The Iran War Threatened Michigan Farmers’ Ability To Make A Profit
April 2026: Michigan State University Farm Economist Jonathan LaPorte Warned Rising Fertilizer Costs During The Iran War Raised Questions About Whether Farmers Could Still Make Money. According to Bridge Michigan, "‘You need a lot of nitrogen (fertilizer) to grow corn,’ said Jonathan LaPorte, farm economist with the Michigan State University Extension service. With rising costs and flat or lower sale prices at harvest, LaPorte said farmers are asking, ‘Can I still make money on this crop?’" [Bridge Michigan, 4/30/26]
¶ Experts Warned The Iran War Increased Grocery Costs And Strained The Food Supply Chain
¶ Michigan State University Food Economist David Ortega Warned Rising Fuel And Fertilizer Costs During The Iran War Could Further Strain The Food Supply Chain And Reduce Crop Yields
HEADLINE: "Your Grocery Bill Could Get Even More Expensive As Fuel Prices Climb" [Wisconsin Public Radio, 4/13/26]
April 2026: Michigan State University Food Economist David Ortega Warned The Iran War And Rising Fuel Prices Could Increase Grocery Costs Across Wisconsin And Further Strain The Food Supply Chain. According to Wisconsin Public Radio, "David Ortega, food economist and professor at Michigan State University, said diesel fuel is critical up and down the food supply chain. [...] U.S. food prices are expected to increase again this year, as market pressures like the war in Iran squeeze the supply chain from farm to grocery store. The latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows ‘food at home’ prices are expected to increase 3.1 percent in 2026. The forecast is nearly double USDA’s projection at the start of the year. At least part of the increase in inflation is due to the conflict in the Middle East and the resulting spike in oil and gas prices." [Wisconsin Public Radio, 4/13/26]
April 2026: Michigan State University Food Economist David Ortega Warned Rising Fertilizer Costs During The Iran War Could Reduce Crop Yields And Further Increase Beef Prices. According to Wisconsin Public Radio, “Impacts from the war could also start to compound over time, Ortega said. For example, the increased cost of oil-derived nitrogen fertilizer could prompt farmers to apply less on their fields this season. Lower crop yields in the fall will mean less feed for livestock and could drive up the cost of beef, which already hit record highs in 2025.” [Wisconsin Public Radio, 4/13/26]
¶ Michigan Grocery Store Owner, Raymond Campise, Warned Rising Fuel Surcharges And Wholesale Prices Increased Pressure On Independent Grocers During The Iran War
May 2026: Ann Arbor Grocery Store Owner Raymond Campise Warned Rising Fuel Surcharges And Wholesale Prices During The Iran War Increased Financial Pressure On Independent Grocers. According to the Associated Press, "The meat, produce and dry goods vendors that supply Sparrow Market, a small independent grocer in Ann Arbor, Michigan, all added fuel surcharges to their deliveries in recent weeks, owner Raymond Campise said. Wholesale prices for meat, produce and some other products also have gone up, he said. ‘For independent markets operating on narrow margins, even small increases can have a major impact,’ Campise said." [Associated Press, 5/13/26]
¶ James Knew Michiganders Would Suffer From Rising Gas Prices During The Iran War But Still Backed Continued U.S. Military Involvement In Iran
¶ John James Acknowledged High Gas Prices Would Hurt Michiganders But Still Voted Against Ending U.S. Military Involvement In Iran
¶ John James Knew Gas Prices Above $4 Per Gallon Were Hurting Michiganders But Defended Trump’s Position On Iran
May 2026: John James Said Gas Prices Above $4 Per Gallon “Hurts Everybody Around The State” But Defended Trump’s Position On Iran. According to James on FOX Business: Varney & Co., "HOST: Congressman, a survey shows you are the leading Republican gubernatorial candidate in Michigan. You worry about how voters feel about the price of gas, is well over $4 a gallon. JAMES: Yes, this, this hurts every everybody around the around the state, around the country, and most notably in Michigan, because of the terrible policies that are pushing common sense reforms that will lower our energy costs, particularly the ability to refine our own, and we are dependent here in Michigan. You can look across the lake in Wisconsin, they have lower gas prices, Ohio, Indiana, lower gas prices. We need to have a governor who's going to maintain and grant additional latitude for innovation and deregulation so that we can lower energy costs. But President Trump is right about Iran" [John James, FOX Business: Varney & CO., 5/1/26]
¶ James Rejected Limits On Trump’s War Powers In Iran And Voted Against Ending U.S. Military Involvement Without Congressional Authorization
March 2026: James Voted Against Directing President Trump To Withdraw Troops From Iran. In March 2026, James voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the concurrent resolution that would direct the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran or any part of its military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.” The vote was on passage. The House rejected the concurrent resolution by a vote of 212 to 219. [House Vote 85, 3/5/26; Congressional Quarterly, 3/5/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.38]
John James Voted Against A Resolution Directing President Trump To End U.S. Military Involvement In Iran
May 2026: James Voted Against A Resolution Directing The President To End U.S. Military Involvement In Iran Without Congressional Authorization. In May 2026, James voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, "This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran or any part of its government or military no later than March 30, 2026, unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force for such purpose has been enacted. The resolution specifies that it shall not be construed to prevent the United States from defending itself, its Armed Forces, its diplomatic facilities, or allied states from imminent attack." The vote was on passage. The House rejected the concurrent resolution by a vote of 212 to 212. [House Vote 170, 5/14/26; Congressional Quarterly, 5/14/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.75]