A annoyed Minority Chief Chuck Schumer known as the Trump administration’s postponement of Tuesday’s scheduled labeled briefing on the Iran-Israel battle “outrageous,” “evasive” and “derelict” — and former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi known as the postponement of the Home’s briefing “a slap within the face to the Congress of america.”
“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 vital particulars, the results of the latest strike, the scope and trajectory of the battle, the administration’s long-term technique to forestall Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, the potential dangers going through 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.
“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 hitch.
Schumer prompt, and a GOP management aide confirmed, that these different briefers who’re anticipated to hitch the rescheduled assembly on Thursday are Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth, who’re at present on the NATO convention. 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 instructed reporters. “They stated ‘properly Hegseth and Rubio can be right here Thursday.’ We’re pleased to listen to them on Thursday along with this briefing, which we expect can be much more useful than listening to from Hegseth and Rubio, who’re secretaries and prime folks and are excellent at political speaking factors. We’d like details; we want actual info.”
Schumer stated if Rubio and Hegseth want to deal with members he is pleased to listen to from them. However he additionally desires 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 situation 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 ideas of accountability and oversight that safeguard our democracy.”
The delay got here as an early intelligence evaluation confirmed the assault didn’t fully destroy Iran’s nuclear program and sure set it again solely by months, in keeping with two folks aware of the evaluation.
Whereas the White Home is disputing the evaluation, Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries stated that it’s additional justification for a congressional briefing.
“It is one of many the reason why we want each a Gang of Eight briefing instantly and a labeled briefing for all members of the Home of Representatives,” Jeffries stated.
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.
‘Slap within the face’
The Home’s labeled briefing set for Tuesday afternoon was postponed as properly, which prompted a legislative tantrum on the ground Tuesday afternoon, with lawmakers demanding a proof.
Democratic Rep. Yvette Clarke, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, tried 4 occasions to hunt a proof from the chair as a part of a “parliamentary inquiry.”
Clarke’s inquisition was dismissed repeatedly by the presiding chair, Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais, who knowledgeable Clarke that she had not correctly acknowledged a parliamentary inquiry.
The U.S. Capitol constructing is seen as town is on a heightened safety alert, June 23, 2025, in Washington.
Joe Raedle/Getty Photos
After some backwards and forwards, Clarke then knowledgeable DesJarlais that with out a proof for the postponed briefing, she’d supply a movement to adjourn. That pressured the lawmakers to return to the chamber for an sudden vote to defeat the Democratic movement.
Pelosi criticized the postponement of the briefing.
“We should all train our greatest judgement in how we stop Iran from having a nuclear weapon and honor our relationship with Israel within the curiosity of our nationwide safety. However the unjustified cancellation of this briefing by the Trump administration is an insupportable insult to their co-equal department of presidency and the constitutional requirement that the president involves Congress earlier than going to battle,” the California Democrat stated. “The president owes the American folks a proof on why his administration is holding them and their representatives in the dead of night.”
It is not but clear when the Home’s briefing can be rescheduled.
Massie considers pulling Conflict Powers Decision
When the conferences happen, it is anticipated that lawmakers, particularly Democrats, can 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 army motion was unconstitutional. There are a number of bipartisan resolutions that would obtain a vote in coming days that will put some lawmakers in uncomfortable positions as they think about whether or not Trump ignored the position of Congress in placing Tehran.
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna launched a Conflict Powers Decision final week to rebuke the president’s choice to launch strikes. As Massie continued to rail towards Trump and his position 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 major opponent within the subsequent election.
Massie has now softened his strategy, 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 have to carry it to the ground,” Massie stated.
Massie additionally added that he’s open to patching issues up with the president: “I would 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 every week of preventing 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 pleased with Israel. OK, after I say now you may have 12 hours, you do not exit within the first hour and simply drop all the things you may have on them. So I am not pleased with them. I am not pleased with Iran both,” Trump stated to reporters Tuesday morning.
Speaker Mike Johnson stated late Monday that he expects the Home briefing to have a special “tone” within the gentle of the ceasefire.
ABC Information’ Rachel Scott contributed to this report.
