House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was not satisfied with President Trump’s notification to Congress of the airstrike that killed top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.
The White House sent a notification to Congress on Saturday about the Thursday strike, fulfilling its duties under the 1973 War Powers Act. However, Pelosi indicated that the document, which was completely classified, “raises more questions than it answers” and accused the Trump administration of keeping both lawmakers and Americans “in the dark.”
“This classified War Powers Act notification delivered to Congress raises more questions than it answers. This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the Administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran,” Pelosi wrote Saturday night. “The highly unusual decision to classify this document in its entirety compounds our many concerns, and suggests that the Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security.”
She continued, “The Trump Administration’s provocative, escalatory and disproportionate military engagement continues to put servicemembers, diplomats and citizens of America and our allies in danger. This initiation of hostilities was taken without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran, without the consultation of the Congress and without the articulation of a clear and legitimate strategy to either the Congress or the public.”
The California Democrat, who was briefed in the hours after the strike, then called again on the president to brief Congress as a whole on the move.
“As Speaker of the House, I reiterate my call on the Administration for an immediate, comprehensive briefing of the full Congress on military engagement related to Iran and next steps under consideration,” she said. “The Administration must work with the Congress to advance a bonafide de-escalatory strategy that prevents further violence.”
Trump received praise from his base and most Republicans for the decision to take out the Iranian commander but was met with backlash from most Democrats. As concern over potential retaliation swirls, the president threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites should the country seek revenge.
