Jeffries Blasts Trump on Gas Prices Tied to Iran War, Differing from Biden-Era Stance

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., criticized President Donald Trump over rising gas prices connected to the war with Iran. He said voter anger could help Democrats regain control of the House in November.

Four years earlier, Jeffries told Republicans not to politicize record gas prices during former President Joe Biden's term.

"The average gas price is now $4.55 per gallon," Jeffries wrote on social media Friday. "Is this what the golden age in America looks like?"

Oil flow disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have driven up fuel costs as the conflict continues. The Trump administration's push to end the war has stalled, though a ceasefire with Iran that started a month ago has mostly held.

Jeffries' focus on gas prices fits Democrats' broader push on affordability. The party aims to defeat Republicans in competitive House districts this year.

Gas prices have climbed more than $1.50 on average, a roughly 50% rise, since Operation Epic Fury started on Feb. 28, AAA data shows.

A recent Fox News Poll showed nearly 60% of voters view gas prices as a major household problem. Another 29% called it a minor problem.

Voters' worries about ongoing inflation give Democrats an eight-point edge over Republicans on the economy, per the April Fox News survey. Close to three-quarters of voters think the U.S. economy is worsening, a record high also seen under Biden in April 2023.

"The problem with this reckless war of choice is life has gotten more expensive," Jeffries told CNBC's Squawk Box in April.

Jeffries took a different approach in March 2022, as gas prices spiked after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Prices hit more than $5 per gallon by June that year.

"It's certainly my hope that my Republican colleagues won't continue to play politics with an existential crisis for Ukraine, for Europe, for the West and for democracy because that is what is at stake right now," Jeffries said at a March 2022 news conference. He referred to the gas price increase. "It may be some sacrifice that is required across the world."

"Certainly, we are seeing incredible sacrifice by the Ukrainian people," he added.

When a reporter asked if the Biden administration should urge Americans to work from home temporarily to ease gas demand, Jeffries said, "Everything should be on the table." He suggested businesses consider it.

"To the extent that corporate America, American businesses, as was the case during World War II, see themselves as part of the effort to ease the sacrifices that may be required here, I think that would be a positive development for the country," he said.

Fox News Digital contacted a Jeffries spokesperson before publication.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said gas prices should drop after the Iran conflict ends. He acknowledged short-term pain for Americans.

"I’m avoiding price predictions," Wright told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday. "Gasoline and diesel prices are up, and they’ll remain up while this conflict is in place, and then they will come back down. And ultimately they’ll come back down lower than they were before."