White House says it tried reaching Dem leaders before Iran strike
Share this @internewscast.com


() 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.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Planned Parenthood Clinics Start Turning Away Medicaid Patients

() Two regional Planned Parenthood affiliates have stopped accepting Medicaid, citing a provision…

Aiken Resident Charged with Child Exploitation

AIKEN, S.C. () – A man has been taken into custody by…

Dramatic Transformation Revealed in Satellite Images of Texas Flooding

() As recovery efforts in central Texas continued Wednesday in the aftermath…

Senate Panel Votes to Halt Trump’s FBI Headquarters Relocation

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved an amendment to the annual…

Trump to Assess Flood Damage While Highlighting Strong Connection to Republican Texas

President Trump is flaunting his bond with deep-red Texas ahead of a…

Roy Jenkins Pool Welcomes Back Community After Extensive Hurricane Repairs

DAVIS ISLANDS, Fla., (WFLA) – After 9 months of repairs, the historic…

Who is Sean Duffy? Trump Selects Acting Transportation Secretary to Temporarily Lead NASA

A member of President Trump’s Cabinet is picking up an additional job…

Passenger Faces Abduction Charge Following Alleged Bristol, Va. Chase

BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — Authorities arrested a North Carolina man on Tuesday…

Goat Stranded for Several Days on a Steep Cliff in Hawaii

HAWI, Hawaii (KHON) – Locals on Hawaii’s Big Island first spotted a…

Father of Rapper Charged After Hosting Party Before Chicago Shooting

CHICAGO (WGN) – The father of the rapper who hosted an album…

Augusta Charter Committee Faces Disagreement on Recommended Changes Requiring Two-Thirds Vote

AUGUSTA, Ga. () – “Because you are in violation of law.” A…

Mahmoud Khalil Demands $20 Million from Trump Administration for Wrongful Imprisonment

() A Palestinian activist, Mahmoud Khalil, who spent more than three months…