The White House fulfilled its duties under the War Powers Act by sending Congress a notification of the airstrike that killed top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.
The Trump administration reportedly notified lawmakers on Saturday; however, all of the contents were classified as it likely contained details on the intelligence that led to the strike. It’s unclear if the White House will send a separate, unclassified document that can be publicized.
The move marks the White House’s compliance with the 1973 War Powers Act, which requires the president to notify Congress of the “circumstances necessitating the introduction of United States Armed Forces” within 48 hours. The Pentagon announced Soleimani’s death by a U.S. airstrike on Thursday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi slammed the White House after receiving notice of the strike, saying it “raises more questions than it answers” and accusing the Trump administration of keeping Congress and Americans “in the dark” by sending an entirely classified document.
“This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the Administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran,” she wrote in a statement. “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 added, “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.”
According to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the strike came in response to an “imminent threat to American lives” from Iran. The White House said it used the 2002 congressional authorization for the war in Iraq to launch the strike.
President Trump’s decision to take out Soleimani was met with applause from his base and most Republicans, but he received backlash from many Democrats and Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul, who said the move puts the United States closer to war with Iran. Nonetheless, the president’s approval rating reached a three-year high after the killing.
On Saturday, Trump also warned Iran that the U.S. is ready to hit 52 targets representing the 52 American hostages held there in 1979 if the country seeks revenge.
