In a wide-ranging televised interview broadcast on August 16, 2026, retiring Republican Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska discussed several critical national issues, ranging from domestic economic strains and tariff policies to military readiness and congressional oversight. Speaking from Omaha on his birthday—humorously noting he is "nine years old in dog years"—the moderate lawmaker offered a candid assessment of the current administration's performance and the strategic direction of his own political party ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
Addressing the economic challenges facing American families, Bacon criticized the administration's messaging on affordability. He argued that the president has failed to communicate empathy for the financial struggles of ordinary citizens and has made light of the ongoing affordability crisis. Bacon pointed out that the United States experienced a peak of 9% inflation under Joe Biden, and although inflation rates declined toward the end of Biden's presidency, the American public has never fully recovered from the financial shock. Currently, inflation continues to rise slightly faster than wages, leaving many families struggling to afford basic necessities at the grocery store and the gas pump.
To alleviate these economic pressures and help wages climb faster than inflation, Bacon urged the administration to review and alter its global tariff policies. He argued that tariffs act as a direct tax on consumers, driving up prices and worsening inflation. While acknowledging that the ongoing conflict with Iran has heavily impacted gas prices, Bacon emphasized that global tariffs have also played a significant role in keeping costs high for everyday Americans.
The conversation then shifted to military affairs, specifically regarding the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln. When asked about former President Donald Trump's comment that the deployment was "not nearly long enough," and whether the current president was wrong to dismiss concerns about the crew's well-being, Bacon agreed that leadership should have handled the situation differently. Drawing on his own 30-year career in the Air Force, which included a one-year deployment to Iraq and three other shorter tours in the region, Bacon highlighted the severe strain that prolonged deployments place on service members and their families. He recalled seeing Marines and soldiers deployed for up to 18 months during his time in Iraq, asserting that leaders must openly acknowledge the difficulty of 10-month carrier deployments and express gratitude to those defending the country.
With the USS George Washington now rotating into the Middle East as the USS Abraham Lincoln returns to port, Bacon called for robust congressional oversight. He advocated for bringing the Secretary of the Navy and the Service Chief of the Navy before Congress to provide transparent answers about the conditions aboard the carrier over the last nine months. Recalling his own experience serving on an aircraft carrier as an Air Force officer in 1996—during the southern no-fly zone for Iraq and efforts to deter Iran—Bacon shared a somber memory of two service members jumping overboard and dying by suicide. While calling such incidents terrible and tragic, he noted they are an unfortunate reality of high-stress military deployments both past and future, reinforcing the need for thorough congressional reviews.
Regarding the ongoing war with Iran, which is now approximately five and a half months old, Bacon raised serious alarms about military readiness and the performance of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. While Bacon acknowledged that Hegseth has followed the president's directives, he expressed deep concern over reported shortages of critical munitions, including Patriot missiles and cruise missiles. Bacon sharply criticized the president's claim of being unaware of these shortages, labeling it a significant management failure and the "number one issue" facing national defense. He promised that lawmakers would demand transparency on these weapon deficits when Congress reconvenes in Washington, D.C., on August 31.
Finally, reflecting on his decision not to seek re-election and a recent poll indicating that 58% of registered voters view the Republican Party as "extreme," the moderate congressman suggested that GOP leadership must find ways to align more closely with mainstream American voters. He argued that the party could achieve this by pushing back on certain White House policies where public consensus exists, helping steer the party back toward the political center and better representing the majority of the American public.
REPRESENTATIVE DON BACON: Good morning to you, and yeah, I'm nine years old and dog years, so that makes me feel better.
ED O'KEEFE: I know you're not running for re-election this fall, Congressman. But in the context of the midterm elections, is the president's justifications for gas prices across the country helpful to Republicans on the ballot this fall?
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.