WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. government to offer political risk insurance and naval escorts for commercial ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz. The directive follows a pullback by major marine insurers, led by Lloyd’s of London, after threats to Persian Gulf shipping drove war-risk costs higher or pushed coverage off the market.

Supporters say the plan keeps oil and LNG moving and strengthens energy security. Critics say it also challenges a long-standing center of global marine insurance power in London.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow 21-mile passage between Iran and Oman. It carries about 20 to 30% of the global seaborne oil trade and a large share of LNG exports from Gulf producers.

After U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran in late February 2026 (called “Operation Epic Fury” in some reports), threats and attacks around the waterway drove risk levels up fast.

• By early March, traffic through the strait fell by more than 80%. On some days, tankers did not move at all.
• Major Protection and Indemnity (P&I) clubs, including Gard (Norway), Skuld, NorthStandard (UK), the London P&I Club, and the American Club, sent 72-hour cancellation notices for war-risk add-ons that took effect March 5.
• Lloyd’s Joint War Committee widened the “high-risk” area to include the full Persian Gulf. As a result, many underwriters canceled coverage or raised premiums sharply, sometimes two to five times normal levels.

In practice, shipping slowed because money, not missiles, set the limit. Without workable war-risk insurance, shipowners and charterers would not send high-value tankers into danger. That left hundreds of vessels waiting and raised fears of a global energy squeeze.

Lloyd’s holds a major share of marine cargo and war-risk business, and it has long handled complex, high-loss exposures. Its marine roots go back centuries to Britain’s early merchant trade.

Trump’s Response: The U.S. Steps Into Maritime Insurance

On March 3, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had instructed the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide “political risk insurance and guarantees” for Gulf maritime trade at a very reasonable price.”

The plan includes:

• Political risk insurance covering losses tied to war, terrorism, or government actions.
• Financial guarantees aimed at backing shipowners, charterers, and private insurers.
• U.S. Navy escorts for tankers when needed, echoing past U.S. protection missions in the region.
• A later announcement of a $20 billion reinsurance facility meant to steady prices and help restore traffic.

Trump framed the goal in simple terms: “No matter what, the United States will ensure the free flow of energy to the world.”

Using the DFC this way stands out because the agency usually supports development-related financing in emerging markets. Still, there is a recent parallel. In 2023, an insurance effort helped support Ukraine grain exports with participation from Lloyd’s and other firms.

What This Could Mean for Lloyd’s of London and the UK

Lloyd’s remains a global hub for specialty insurance and brings billions into the UK economy each year through premiums, jobs, and related services. Around 50,000 people work in insurance and connected roles in the City of London. Marine and energy coverage sit at the center of that system, and war-risk insurance, while niche, can carry real geopolitical weight.

Some analysts think Trump’s move could pull business away from London over time:

• If U.S.-backed coverage stays dependable and priced well, some shippers may favor it after the crisis.
• British headlines have floated the idea that Trump could weaken a roughly £50bn insurance giant.
• Lloyd’s has taken a cooperative tone with the DFC and says it still leads on war-risk expertise. It also argues coverage is still available, even at higher rates, and that some traffic has started to return.

Even so, the message is hard to miss. A private insurance market in London has long been able to slow trade with pricing and capacity. Now, a state backstop is trying to remove that pressure point.

Bigger Ripple Effects for Energy, Alliances, and Markets

This standoff shows how finance, military power, and energy supply connect in real time.

• Energy security and prices: By pushing shipments to resume, the U.S. reduces the risk of price spikes at home and helps allies that depend on Gulf oil and LNG.
• Tension with close partners: In London, some see the policy as a direct hit to a key national industry.
• Oil market reaction: Prices jumped at first, then eased after Trump’s announcement. Still, war-risk costs remain high, and sentiment is shaky.
• Limits of insurance alone: Shipping leaders warn that guarantees only help up to a point. If attacks continue, fear can outrun price. At the same time, more naval activity can raise the sense that the route is a live conflict zone.

The administration’s approach blends money, security promises, and military readiness. In effect, the U.S. is presenting itself as the backstop for key sea lanes.

What Comes Next for Hormuz Shipping and War-Risk Coverage

Results will hinge on execution. That includes the fine print of DFC coverage, how it coordinates with private insurers, and whether Navy escorts become routine. Lloyd’s has signaled it can work with the U.S. effort, so a shared model may emerge instead of a clean replacement.

Still, the larger shift is clear. Where private underwriters once had near veto power over a critical chokepoint, direct government support is moving in to keep tankers sailing.

For now, the U.S. has acted to prevent a supply shock, and it has turned an insurance freeze into a test of who guarantees global energy flows.

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ATLANTA – CNNsenior writer and chief data analyst Harry Enten walked through polling that shows President Donald Trump holding unusually strong support inside the Republican Party. Using CNN survey averages and side-by-side comparisons, Enten said Trump’s current approval among Republicans sits well above where Barack Obama and George W. Bush stood with their own parties at a similar stage of their presidencies.

The discussion came up while the panel talked about Trump’s influence in GOP primaries and the impact of his endorsements. According to Enten, the numbers suggest Trump’s pull with Republican voters remains firm. As he put it, Trump’s “magic touch has not seemed to wear off yet when it comes to the Republican base.”

Main Takeaways From Enten’s Breakdown

• Very high Republican approval: CNN polling averages show Trump at 86% approval among Republicans at this point in his second term.
• Higher than recent presidents at the same stage: At a comparable moment, George W. Bush was at 77% with Republicans, and Barack Obama was at 77% with Democrats.
• More intense support, too: 53% of Republicans strongly approve of Trump’s performance. By comparison, Obama measured 48% and Bush 47% on strong approval at the same point.
• Endorsement power tied to base loyalty: Enten compared Trump’s primary influence to famous athletes like Tom Brady and Babe Ruth. He also said Trump-backed candidates have posted 95% to 99% win rates in recent cycles, helped by tight party loyalty.
• Standout own-party support in the modern era: Enten summed it up plainly, saying Republicans support Trump more than any 21st-century president’s party supporters at this point.

Even as Trump’s overall national approval moves up and down, the Republican core stays steady. That gap between base support and broader approval is a major part of the story.

Own-Party Approval, Side-by-Side

Here’s the same comparison Enten shared, focused on approval within each president’s own party at roughly the same point in their second terms:

Source: CNN polling averages and historical figures as cited by Harry Enten. Timelines reflect approximate equivalents across presidencies.

Enten stressed that this level of party unity stands out. In many presidencies, overall approval sits in the 40% to 50% range because the country splits along party lines. In contrast, Trump’s near-unified backing from Republican voters gives him a strong base even when national debates heat up.

Why These Numbers Matter for Trump’s Influence

High own-party approval usually turns into real power inside a party, and Enten argued that’s exactly what’s happening here. Because Republicans approve of Trump at such a high rate, his endorsement often carries major weight in primary elections. Since 2020, Trump-supported candidates have won GOP primaries at a pace that goes far beyond what most endorsements can deliver.

As a result, challenges to Trump-aligned candidates often struggle to gain traction. Even when Trump’s broader public numbers soften, Republican enthusiasm hasn’t dropped in the same way.

Enten’s tone stayed data-focused, but he made clear the size of the gap surprised him. “Look at this: 86% of Republicans approve,” he said, while pointing back to the 77% figures for Obama and Bush.

A Quick Look at Party Loyalty Over Time

Presidents often begin terms with strong support from their party, then see it slip when controversies build or conditions change. In that context:

• Bush held about 77% party approval at a similar second-term point, before later drops tied to the Iraq War and economic concerns.
• Obama also measured 77% among Democrats at the same stage, showing solid support but less intensity than Trump’s current numbers.

Trump’s 86% approval, paired with higher strong approval, signals a more locked-in base. That kind of support can cushion a president from pressures that hit other administrations harder.

What to Watch Next

With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, the data suggests Trump still holds major influence within the Republican Party. It’s still unclear how long that strength will last or how it will shape policy fights and candidate choices, but the polling shows little sign of fatigue among GOP voters.

Enten’s segment also highlights something many headline polls miss. National approval matters, but internal party support can say even more about a president’s staying power. After the clip aired, the comments spread quickly on social media and conservative outlets, mainly because the contrast between Trump’s GOP numbers and his broader national approval remains so sharp.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump is making an early second-term Cabinet change, tapping U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He will replace Kristi Noem after a rocky stretch that drew heavy attention to the administration’s strict immigration enforcement push.

Trump shared the decision on Thursday on Truth Social. He called Mullin a “Highly Respected” lawmaker and a “MAGA Warrior,” adding that Mullin works well with others and has the “Wisdom and Courage” to move the America First agenda forward.

The shift is scheduled for March 31, 2026, and it depends on Senate confirmation. If confirmed, Mullin would have to give up his Senate seat. Under federal vacancy rules, he could also serve in an acting role while the process plays out.

The announcement came only days after Noem faced sharp criticism in congressional hearings. Lawmakers from both parties pressed her on immigration raids, a disputed $220 million ad campaign urging people to leave voluntarily, disaster response, and DHS spending.

At the same time, reports pointed to frustration inside the administration about the speed and management of mass deportation efforts. That includes high-profile incidents, such as the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis tied to immigration enforcement officers.

Kristi Noem’s statement to the press

After Trump’s post, Noem spoke at a DHS event and avoided mentioning the change. Instead, she stayed on prepared remarks that backed the president’s priorities. Later, she posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) and thanked Trump for her new assignment:

“Thank you, @POTUS Trump, for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. @SecRubio and @SecWar are incredible leaders, and I look forward to working with them closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren.

The Western Hemisphere is absolutely critical for U.S. security. In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise I forged over the last 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security.”

Trump said Noem will lead “The Shield of the Americas,” a new regional security effort focused on fighting drug cartels across the Western Hemisphere. The administration plans to roll it out on Saturday in Doral, Florida. Noem, a former South Dakota governor, becomes the first Cabinet secretary to leave her post during Trump’s second term.

Why Trump picked Markwayne Mullin

By choosing Markwayne Mullin, Trump appears to want a close ally running DHS as the administration keeps pressing its hard-line immigration strategy. Markwayne Mullin, 48, has strongly defended mass deportations and ICE activity. He has described ICE agents as “red-blooded American patriots.”

Several factors seem to have helped Mullin rise to the top:

• Loyalty and shared priorities: Markwayne Mullin has stood with Trump on America First policies, especially border security and enforcement.
• Time on Capitol Hill: He served in the House from 2013 to 2023, then won his Senate seat in 2022 with 62% of the vote. That background may help during confirmation and with tough policy fights.
• A tough public image: Mullin is known for an aggressive style, plus an undefeated pro MMA record (5-0). Trump pointed to that persona in his announcement.
• A distinct personal story: Mullin is a member of the Cherokee Nation and is the first Native American senator in two decades. He also ran his family’s plumbing company after earning an associate’s degree, and he often stresses practical results.
• Alignment on major DHS issues: He has supported strict immigration enforcement, changes to disaster response, and actions against cross-border threats, which track closely with the administration’s goals.

Mullin responded by calling the moment “humbling.” He told reporters he called his father after hearing the news and said, “A little kid from west Oklahoma gets to serve in the president’s cabinet, that’s pretty neat.” He added that he didn’t expect the call, but he’s “excited to get started.”

What it could mean next

The DHS leadership swap lands during a tense period for the department. DHS is dealing with a partial shutdown that has hit some operations and employee pay. On top of that, lawsuits over enforcement tactics continue, and protests against deportations remain active.

Markwayne Mullin’s nomination may draw questions about his limited executive management experience. Still, with Republicans in control, confirmation could move more smoothly.

For the White House, the change looks like an attempt to reset DHS leadership while keeping the broader immigration crackdown on track. Meanwhile, moving Noem into a focused envoy job keeps her in the mix on regional security, while shifting day-to-day DHS control to a new face.

As Markwayne Mullin heads toward confirmation hearings, the spotlight will move to his plans for mass deportations, FEMA-related reforms, cybersecurity, and ongoing border threats.

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