GOP lawmaker blindsides CNN host with Trump defense: 'We have control?'

Rep Mark Alford (R-MO) seemed to shock CNN host John Berman by insisting President Donald Trump had "control over the Strait of Hormuz" — despite it being closed.

During a Thursday interview, Berman asked Alford to explain why Trump said he didn't think about Americans' financial situation, "not even a little bit," when it came to the war in Iran.

"If I could just kind of give a little clarity to what I think President Trump was saying is, look, he does care about the American people," Alford replied. "He does care about the price of the pump."

The congressman suggested the alternative to the current conflict was Iran growing stronger until it struck U.S. forces in the Middle East.

"Gas prices would be $10 a gallon," he remarked. "This is the time to put an end to it... I know that it is a hardship on filling up. It just cost me $100 to fill up my Ford Expedition last week when I was home in the district, and I travel a lot. I know it's a hardship, but we've got to do this now."

"How much longer is it going to cost you 100 bucks to fill up your Ford Expedition?" the CNN host wondered.

"Look, I don't have a crystal ball in this," Alford explained. "I do know that we do have control over the Straits of Hormuz right now. Things have improved somewhat."

A surprised Berman interrupted: "If we have control, how come there aren't vessels going in and out of the Strait of Hormuz right now?"

For his part, Alford blamed "safety issues" for the inability to use the Strait.

"Saudi Arabia and other countries did not want us to provide those services where we're escorting tankers through," he claimed. "This has become very complicated because other Middle Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia and others, want Iran to be dealt with, but they also know that this is a delicate situation."