() The White House is pushing back at reports the Trump administration ignored key Democrats in Congress before the U.S. military bombed three nuclear enrichment sites in Iran over the weekend.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on social media that the White House made bipartisan courtesy calls to Democratic leadership, even talking with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York before the strike. She said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., could not be reached but eventually received a briefing.
Leavitt’s statement made no mention of two additional Democrats Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia and Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, ranking members on intelligence committees who reportedly were not notified, Washington correspondent Joe Khalil reports.
Himes and Warner are members of the so-called “Gang of Eight” who typically would be notified ahead of military action.
More generally, Democrats in Congress argue they should have been given a chance to sign off on the U.S. strikes against Iran, arguing the president is limited by the Constitution. The White House says President Trump has the authority.
In contrast, most Republican members of Congress have lined up in support of President Trump. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., even supported the president’s suggestion for regime change in Iran.
Notable exceptions within the GOP include Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R.-Ga., who oppose U.S. intervention.
