President Donald Trump has admitted that Americans should prepare for possible retaliatory attacks on U.S. soil as a result of the ongoing war with Iran. When asked by an interviewer if people in the United States should worry about domestic attacks, Trump responded, “I guess.” He added that he believes Americans are “worried about that all the time” and that the government plans for such possibilities.
Trump went further, stating, “We expect some things,” and acknowledged, “some people will die. When you go to war, some people will die.” So far, the conflict has already claimed the lives of six Americans overseas, including Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa, who was killed when an unmanned aircraft hit a U.S. facility in Kuwait. As of now, there have been no attacks on U.S. soil.
According to the Independent, Senator Elizabeth Warren responded to Trump’s remarks on social media, calling them “deranged and dangerous.” A recent poll also shows that 54 percent of American voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of the situation in Iran, while only 41 percent approve.
The mixed signals from Trump’s administration raise serious questions about homeland security
Trump’s comments stand in direct contrast to what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the public on Thursday. During a press briefing, Hegseth said, “I don’t have any concerns about whether or not the homeland will be covered down on,” suggesting there is no threat to the U.S. mainland. The two statements from the same administration paint very different pictures of the current security situation.
Analysts have noted that one aggressive shift in the Iran war has played a significant role in how the conflict has developed. Adding to these concerns, there has been reported disruption within the government’s security agencies. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is set to leave her post.
Additionally, the FBI reportedly fired members of a global counterespionage unit with deep Iran experience just before the war started, apparently as retaliation for their involvement in the Trump classified documents investigation.
Trump has also made clear that he has no set end date for the war. “I have no time limits on anything,” he said, adding, “I want to get it done.” Part of his plan involves Iran installing a new pro-U.S. leader, and Trump insists on being part of choosing that person. He wants “somebody that’s reasonable to the United States,” and not “another Khamenei.”
This open-ended approach to the war and the push for regime change goes against Trump’s earlier campaign promises, in which he vowed to stay out of foreign conflicts. The shift has drawn attention from critics and the public alike, as the situation in Iran continues to develop with no clear resolution in sight. The conflict is also spreading beyond Iran’s borders into neighboring regions, raising further concerns about how wide this war could grow.
Public concern is likely to grow further given the gap between Trump’s warnings about potential domestic attacks and the reassurances coming from other members of his administration. With key security roles in flux and no defined end to the conflict, the mixed messaging from the White House leaves many Americans uncertain about what comes next.
Published: Mar 6, 2026 03:52 pm