Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) reacted to the successful U.S. airstrike on Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq on Thursday evening by complaining that Congress was not consulted in advance about it.
In a statement released by the Speaker’s office on Thursday evening, Pelosi demanded an immediate briefing:
American leaders’ highest priority is to protect American lives and interests. But we cannot put the lives of American servicemembers, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions. Tonight’s airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence. America – and the world – cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return.
The Administration has conducted tonight’s strikes in Iraq targeting high-level Iranian military officials and killing Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran. Further, this action was taken without the consultation of the Congress.
BREAKING: Federal Judge Rules ICE Cannot Re-Detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia
Latina House Republican asks Supreme Court to block Dems’ bid to ‘racially gerrymander’ her out of Congress
Springsteen jabs Trump as ‘wannabe king’ as famed rocker launches concert tour ‘in defense of America’
Cheer mom, daughter dead in apparent murder-suicide after years-long custody fight: docs
Will Conservative Supreme Court Justices Step Down While Trump Can Still Replace Them? Midterm Results Might Force the Issue
Abrego Garcia to remain free from ICE custody as judge OKs travel for Tennessee hearing
Five injured, including firefighter, in church explosion following reported gas leak in upstate New York
Vance and Rubio would give GOP ‘potent one-two punch’ for 2028 ticket: Joe Concha
NBC News Buries Background of Latest Trans Mass Shooting Suspect – He ‘Also Went by the First Name Roberta’
Obama dragged for ‘headache’-inducing presidential center update that has visitors squinting
Minnesota Democrats demand reparations from ICE after losing $18 billion to Somali fraud
Dems Try to Cancel Republican Congressman After He Declares Americans Will Not Give Up Dogs to Appease NYC’s Muslims
Hamas dismisses Israel threat to ‘complete the mission’ if terrorist group doesn’t disarm
Mainstream liberals join Soros in bankrolling group backing DC jury nullification effort
Trump hammers AOC Munich stumbles as ‘not a good look for the United States’
The full Congress must be immediately briefed on this serious situation and on the next steps under consideration by the Administration, including the significant escalation of the deployment of additional troops to the region.
A spokesperson for Pelosi confirmed that she had not been notified in advance and only spoke to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper after the attack.
Speaker Pelosi spox says she spoke to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper after the Soleimani strike as no advance notification was given as statement indicated. Pelosi + Esper connected last night via text phone around 9:40pm. Call lasted 13 mins.
— Alex Moe (@AlexNBCNews) January 3, 2020
Pelosi has yet to notify the Senate formally about the impeachment of President Donald Trump — 16 days ago.
Story cited here.
