By Emmanuel Bobby
President Donald Trump says he has no plans to give up golf during the ongoing war with Iran, describing his time on the course as a necessary break from the demands of leading the country.
“It’s a form of relaxation,” he said in a phone interview Tuesday. “It’s a little exercise, and it takes your mind off things for a couple of hours.”
A month into the conflict, Trump said the United States has significantly weakened Iran’s military and helped usher in what he described as a more moderate leadership.
“We’re doing great,” he said. “And it’s coming to an end.”
Despite those assurances, the war and a prolonged Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding standoff are affecting Americans. Air travelers face long security lines, fuel prices have risen, and U.S. military casualties continue to mount.
At the same time, some policymakers have drawn criticism for engaging in leisure activities while key issues remain unresolved. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., faced backlash after photos showed him visiting Disney World following Congress’ departure from Washington without resolving DHS funding, leaving TSA workers unpaid.
Critics across the political spectrum seized on the images, arguing they reflect a disconnect between lawmakers and the public. Graham said he had attended meetings in Florida before joining friends in Orlando and later returned to South Carolina.
Other lawmakers have also been seen taking breaks, including Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., who was photographed at a Las Vegas casino after funding negotiations stalled.
Congress had briefly advanced a bipartisan proposal to fund most DHS operations, but disagreements—particularly over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—derailed a final deal. House Republicans rejected the Senate’s plan, opting instead for a short-term funding approach, and then adjourned without resolving the impasse.
The stalemate has left TSA workers without pay for weeks, prompting Trump to direct that they receive compensation. Critics argue the move could have come earlier, while administration officials say it required a lengthy review process.
Trump’s role in the standoff has drawn mixed reactions. Senate Republicans initially believed he supported their bipartisan funding measure, only for House leadership to later say he backed abandoning it in favor of a different strategy—adding to uncertainty around negotiations.
While the president has adjusted parts of his schedule due to the war—including attending ceremonies for fallen service members—he has continued to spend weekends in Florida, often at his Mar-a-Lago resort, where he says he conducts official business and meets with foreign leaders.
“It’s all work,” Trump said, describing the resort as a “southern White House.”
Supporters argue that presidents can effectively govern from locations outside Washington and point to historical precedents. Critics, however, say the optics of leisure during wartime and domestic disruptions can be damaging.
Former President George W. Bush, also an avid golfer, chose to stop playing during the Iraq War, saying it would send the wrong message to military families.
Some Republicans have echoed concerns about perception, warning that images of leisure activities risk alienating voters already frustrated by rising costs and government dysfunction.
Public frustration is evident among travelers dealing with airport delays. Many blame both parties—and the president—for failing to resolve the situation.
“It’s their job to work this out, and they’re not doing it,” one traveler said.
With Congress in recess and negotiations stalled, a resolution to the DHS funding crisis remains uncertain, even as the broader pressures of war and economic strain continue to mount.
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