Along with peace prospects, Trump suffers a series of defeats

ANALYSIS Along with peace prospects, Trump suffers a series of defeats DAVID SHRIBMAN SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL PUBLISHED MAY 24, 2026 UPDATED MAY 25, 2026 Open this photo in gallery: U.S. President Donald Trump in Suffern, N.Y. on Friday. Even a possible end to the Iranian nuclear project doesn’t provide clear sailing for an increasingly embattled Trump, writes David Shribman. ROBERTO SCHMIDT/GETTY IMAGES 204 COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Listen to this article Learn more about audio Log in or create a free account to listen to this article. The promise of Middle East peace may remove a contentious issue from the American political scene, but even a possible end to the Iranian nuclear project doesn’t provide clear sailing for an increasingly embattled Donald Trump. That’s because the announcement of a possible end to the Middle East war came only days after Washington witnessed one of the great laws of U.S. politics in action: that what doesn’t happen in the capital is often more important than what does. What didn’t happen last week in the Senate: The Republican leadership postponed a vote on a multiyear, US$70-billion immigration-enforcement bill that Mr. Trump dearly wants. The worry was that some GOP members would support an amendment to attack the US$1.8-billion settlement fund Mr. Trump secured from his lawsuit against the IRS that would pay those who claim they have suffered political persecution, including Jan. 6 rioters. What didn’t happen last week in the House of Representatives: The Republican leadership told members it would not move a bill for a vote on a resolution that would have curtailed Mr. Trump’s military options in Iran. The worry was that some GOP members would support the measure, ensuring its approval. Opinion: It’s a failure, but Trump isn’t dropping his anti-Canada campaign Though the apparent peace may remove this issue from legislative action, these actions − or, more precisely, these inactions − are danger signs for a President who just this spring succeeded in purging apostates and opponents in his own party. They are evidence of fresh rumblings of resistance, even restive dissent, among congressional Republicans that a Middle East peace agreement, though universally welcomed, won’t sweep away. The President’s apparent success in bringing the war to an end may give him a temporary political breather, especially if it brings the swift opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lowering of energy costs. But the…