An AP-NORC poll published October 1, 2026 showed that Americans disapproved of President Donald Trump's handling of his war against Iran and blamed him for rising energy prices

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President Donald Trump cited former President Joe Biden's preemptive pardons as precedent to justify using presidential clemency to protect administration personnel from future legal costs

On October 24, 2026, President Donald Trump verbally reassured White House advisor Margo Martin that she would not have to worry about facing costly legal battles

On October 24, 2026, the Washington Sun reported that White House attorneys were evaluating whether to issue preemptive pardons to lower-ranking administration officials

On October 24, 2026, President Donald Trump stated he has the constitutional authority to grant preemptive pardons to White House staffers to shield them from potential investigations

White House attorney deliberations reported by The Washington Sun regarding preemptive pardons have focused on shielding officials involved in sensitive policy areas including immigration, trade, and military operations

President Donald Trump granted clemency to approximately 1,500 individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot

During President Donald Trump's first term, he granted pardons to political allies including Michael Flynn, Roger Stone, and Steve Bannon

In October 2025, President Donald Trump commuted the fraud sentence of former Republican Representative George Santos less than three months into his prison term

White House attorneys, according to The Washington Sun, consider a blanket pardon covering all junior staffers unlikely, favoring potential protections grouped by specific policy responsibilities

President Donald Trump pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was serving a 45-year sentence following a federal drug trafficking conviction

High gas prices and rising living costs driven by the U.S. war on Iran, ongoing since February, have put Republicans on the defensive ahead of the November 3, 2026 midterm elections

The joint military campaign by the United States and Israel against Iran has been ongoing since February 2026

Barack Obama mocked White House renovations under President Donald Trump during October 24, 2026, campaign speeches, comparing the decor to a Cheesecake Factory opened by Saddam Hussein

Barack Obama criticized War Secretary Pete Hegseth during an October 24, 2026, speech, alleging Hegseth focuses excessively on military personal appearance rather than governance

During October 24, 2026, rallies, Barack Obama criticized President Donald Trump over rising consumer costs, tariffs on Canadian goods, and military involvement in Iran

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the U.S. war on Iran, ongoing since February, has caused at least 3,400 deaths and 33,000 injuries

An October 2026 AP-NORC poll found that seven in ten American voters believe the government should prioritize ending the U.S. war on Iran, ongoing since February

A September 2026 Fox News poll found that six in ten Americans oppose military action against Iran that has continued since February, and more than 70 percent believe Donald Trump lacks an end plan

An AP-NORC poll of 2,140 U.S. adults conducted September 24-28, 2026, revealed that 65% of respondents blamed President Donald Trump's policies for high cost of living and inflation ahead of the November 3, 2026 midterm elections

On October 23, 2026, President Donald Trump issued a White House proclamation exempting certain Canadian imports, including plywood sheets, packing crates, and refrigeration equipment, from 50% tariffs starting October 30, 2026