Democrats expressed outrage following the Trump administration's decision to delay a planned briefing for Congress regarding recent U.S. strikes against Iran. The administration postponed classified briefings initially scheduled for Tuesday, which were intended to provide lawmakers with critical information about the operations.
The strikes targeted three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, and were followed by Iranian retaliatory actions against an American military base in Qatar. The briefings were expected to include key officials such as the director of national intelligence, the C.I.A. director, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Senate briefing has been rescheduled for Thursday, while the House briefing has been moved to Friday, according to sources familiar with the situation. This delay coincided with a preliminary classified report indicating that the damage from the strikes was less severe than previously claimed by President Trump.
Additionally, the delay followed a cease-fire announcement brokered by Trump between Iran and Israel, made just before he departed for the NATO summit in the Netherlands. Several senior Democrats have urged the administration to comply with the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which mandates that the president notify Congress within 48 hours of military action.
In a memo sent to lawmakers, Trump asserted that the strikes were conducted under his constitutional authority to protect U.S. citizens and national interests. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the delay, calling it "outrageous" and emphasizing the administration's legal obligation to inform Congress.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, expressed no concern over the postponement, stating that the administration respects Congress's authority and intends to provide information as soon as possible. The classified briefing is viewed as crucial for discussions on Congress's role in authorizing military action.
While most Republicans have supported the strikes, many Democrats argue that such military actions require congressional approval, asserting that the deployment of significant military force without consultation violates the Constitution's separation of powers.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described the strikes as "offensive" and insisted that military force of this nature must be approved by Congress. He also stated that lawmakers had not seen evidence justifying the strikes or indicating an imminent threat to the U.S.
Trump's memo indicated that the strikes were partly for the "collective self-defense of our ally, Israel," but did not provide further details.