Top Democrat: Trump administration withheld Iran briefing, ignored facts

DDM News

The Trump administration has been accused of deliberately bypassing congressional oversight following its recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Representative Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, has publicly criticized the administration for what he described as a blatant disregard for transparency and legal obligation.

Himes, who represents Connecticut and is a member of the powerful Gang of Eight, told CNN that he received “precisely zero outreach” from the administration regarding the strikes on Iran, either before, during, or after the operation.

The Gang of Eight comprises top congressional leaders who are usually briefed on sensitive intelligence matters.

Despite the significance of the U.S. military action over the weekend, Himes revealed that he was not personally briefed, though some intelligence committee staff were given information on Sunday.

According to him, the way the entire matter has been handled by the White House shows the administration’s disregard for law and facts.

Himes argued that those who should have been informed, lawmakers with access to both intelligence and military details, were completely sidelined.

He noted that previously scheduled briefings for the House and Senate were postponed from Tuesday to Thursday and Friday without explanation.

Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, also expressed dismay over the secrecy.

He described it as “very surprising” that Congress wasn’t informed prior to such a critical military decision.

Reed warned that the delay in briefings signaled a failure of the administration to honor its duty to keep Congress informed.

The briefings were expected to cover intelligence assessments and legal justifications for the U.S. strikes, which targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities.

But the delay, and lack of proactive communication with Democrats, has sparked bipartisan concern about executive overreach.

Republican congressional leaders, however, were reportedly in close contact with the White House in the lead-up to the attacks.

Sources told DDM that the administration actively coordinated messaging with GOP leadership to prepare Capitol Hill allies to defend the military action publicly.

Despite this, the administration has not issued any formal guidance on how to respond to questions surrounding the success of the strikes or their long-term impact on Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

According to multiple sources, President Trump and his team had direct communications with top Republicans before authorizing the strikes, while key Democrats were only informed after the attacks had been carried out.

This approach has fueled criticism that Trump is using national security for partisan advantage, further eroding trust between the executive branch and congressional oversight bodies.

Analysts warn that such unilateral military actions, coupled with a refusal to consult Congress, could lead to constitutional confrontations.

Critics say it undermines the foundational principle of checks and balances and puts the country at risk of unexamined foreign policy missteps.

The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the authority to declare war and requires the executive to keep legislators informed of major military operations.

The War Powers Resolution also mandates that presidents consult with Congress before engaging in hostilities, except in emergencies.

Himes stressed that consultation with lawmakers is not just a tradition but a legal requirement, especially when national security and international conflict are involved.

He said the administration’s disregard for briefing those entrusted with national security oversight raises serious questions about its respect for democratic governance.

Meanwhile, Democrats are demanding immediate access to classified details surrounding the operation, including intelligence that justified the strikes and assessments of their effectiveness.

As congressional pressure mounts, it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will provide the transparency and accountability lawmakers are seeking.

The controversy over the delayed briefings comes amid wider concerns about the legality and strategic wisdom of escalating tensions with Iran.

With no official damage report released, and early assessments suggesting Iran’s nuclear program was only temporarily disrupted, lawmakers are pressing for clearer answers.

In the coming days, attention will turn to whether the administration honors its commitment to brief Congress fully, or continues to operate behind closed doors, further deepening partisan divisions in Washington.

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