A pissed off Minority Chief Chuck Schumer referred to as the Trump administration’s postponement of Tuesday’s scheduled labeled briefing on the Iran-Israel conflict “outrageous,” “evasive” and “derelict.”
“There’s a authorized obligation for the administration to tell Congress of what’s taking place. What are they afraid of? Why will not they interact Congress within the essential particulars, the results of the latest strike, the scope and trajectory of the battle, the administration’s long-term technique to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, the potential dangers dealing with Americans and our service members who all of us have an obligation to guard?” Schumer stated whereas addressing reporters Tuesday afternoon.
Schumer stated senators deserve transparency with the battle.
“This last-minute postponement of our briefing is outrageous, it is evasive, it is derelict. They’re bobbing and weaving and ducking. Senators deserve full transparency,” he stated.
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer speaks to reporters on the Capitol in Washington, June 24, 2025.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
The Senate’s labeled briefing, which was set to incorporate briefers from the Division of State in addition to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Dan Caine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and DNI Tulsi Gabbard, had been postponed to later within the week to permit for different briefers to affix.
Schumer steered, and a GOP management aide confirmed, that these different briefers who’re anticipated to affix the rescheduled assembly on Thursday are Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth, who’re at the moment at the NATO conference. It is unclear whether or not the unique slate of briefers will nonetheless attend Thursday’s briefing.
“I used to be given no rationalization for this delay,” Schumer informed reporters. “They stated ‘properly Hegseth and Rubio will probably be right here Thursday.’ We’re joyful to listen to them on Thursday along with this briefing, which we expect will probably be way more useful than listening to from Hegseth and Rubio, who’re secretaries and high individuals and are excellent at political speaking factors. We’d like info; we want actual data.”
Schumer stated if Rubio and Hegseth want to handle members he is joyful to listen to from them. However he additionally needs to listen to from the unique slate of briefers.
“In the event that they need to come up on Thursday as well as — not in substitute of this listening to — that’s OK,” Schumer stated. “However the obstruction of this administration on a vital difficulty like this the place American lives and notably the lives of American service members are at stake, is their obligation and it undermines the very rules of accountability and oversight that safeguard our democracy.”
Schumer stated he has nonetheless not acquired a extra formal briefing from the administration since he acquired a quick name informing him of Saturday night time’s strike simply earlier than it occurred. That decision, he stated, lacked any particular particulars.
The Home’s labeled briefing set for Tuesday afternoon was postponed as properly. It is not but clear when it is going to be rescheduled.
The U.S. Capitol constructing is seen as town is on a heightened safety alert, June 23, 2025, in Washington.
Joe Raedle/Getty Pictures
When the conferences happen, it is anticipated that lawmakers, particularly Democrats, will probably be on the lookout for solutions and proof on the briefings from the administration — particularly why Trump stated there was an imminent risk and carried out U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear websites over the weekend.
Their conferences come after a number of lawmakers on Capitol Hill argued the military action was unconstitutional. There are a number of bipartisan resolutions that might obtain a vote in coming days that will put some lawmakers in uncomfortable positions as they take into account whether or not Trump ignored the function of Congress in putting Tehran.
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna introduced a War Powers Resolution last week to rebuke the president’s determination to launch strikes. As Massie continued to rail in opposition to Trump and his function within the battle, the president lashed out on the Kentucky Republican, saying he was “not MAGA” and threatened to marketing campaign for Massie’s Republican main opponent within the subsequent election.
Massie has now softened his method, telling reporters on the Capitol on Monday that he is now contemplating pulling the bipartisan Conflict Powers Decision.
“If the ceasefire holds, and we’re not engaged in hostilities, then it is a moot level. I would not must convey it to the ground,” Massie stated.
Massie additionally added that he’s open to patching issues up with the president: “I might like a ceasefire between me and President Trump. If I can get the identical deal, after his bunker busters he dropped on me.”
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters earlier than boarding Marine One on the South Garden of the White Home, June 24, 2025, in Washington.
Evan Vucci/AP
Trump on Monday introduced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire, after greater than per week of combating following Israel’s strikes — and subsequent U.S. assaults — on Iran’s nuclear program. Hours after the ceasefire took impact, Israel stated Iran violated it — which Iran denies.
Trump expressed anger at each Israel and Iran, accusing each of violating the ceasefire settlement shortly after it started.
“I am not proud of Israel. OK, after I say now you’ve got 12 hours, you do not exit within the first hour and simply drop every little thing you’ve got on them. So I am not proud of them. I am not proud of Iran both,” Trump stated to reporters Tuesday morning.
Speaker Mike Johnson stated late Monday that he expects the Home briefing to have a unique “tone” within the gentle of the ceasefire.
ABC Information’ Rachel Scott contributed to this report.
