Yesterday, Senators Mike Lee and Rand Paul came out of the briefing about Soleimani’s termination angry, even suggesting they would join Democrats and vote for the War Powers Act.
It was unclear why they were so angry other than they found the meeting with the Secretary of Defense mark Esper, the Director of the CIA Gina Haspel, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, “insulting.” They claimed it was unconstitutional since they couldn’t debate.
Marco Rubio explained that they left the false impression that it was because the information provided didn’t justify the Soleimani strike. That isn’t the case.
The reason is “because administration didn’t offer hypothetical scenario requiring congressional authorization for military action.”
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Some reporting about GOP Senator upset after Iran briefing leaves false impression it’s because information provided didn’t justify #Soleimani strike
It was because administration didn’t offer hypothetical scenario requiring congressional authorization for military action
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 9, 2020
That’s ridiculous. Hypothetical situations should never enter into it. They’re imaginary, and when it comes to defense, the President doesn’t have to consult Congress. He did NOT declare war and de-escalated.
Rubio posted a series of tweets explaining the Revolutionary Guards didn’t intend to kill. However, they like to hide behind their proxies and that’s still a threat.
Lee and Paul are starting to get very annoying. It’s unconstitutional for them to try and take power to defend the United States from the President. That is what Nancy’s various measures intend to do.
Another sign that @potus decision to strike #Soleimani achieved a restoration of active deterrence#IRGC commander says #IRGC missile strike “did not intend to kill”
Nevertheless threat of proxy attacks remains & #Iran will be held responsible for them https://t.co/XEg3Xnwceq
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 9, 2020
Natl Security officials gave a compelling briefing to Senators just now. They answered every important question.
Anyone who walks out & says they aren’t convinced action against #Soleimani was justified is either never going to be convinced or just oppose everything Trump does.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 8, 2020
He also explained that they are calling the Chairman a “liar.”
Any Senator who left the briefing on #Iran & claims #Soleimani wasn’t planning a near term attack on Americans is calling the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Milley a liar.
Because Gen. Milley stated clearly & firmlythat Soleimani was about to kill Americans.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 9, 2020
Just spoke to @potus on:
-how #Soleimani strike disrupted deadly near term attacks on Americans & reestablished deterrence
-our desire to avoid further military escalation
-U.S. plans for a strong but appropriate response to any new attacks from #Iran or it’s proxies 1/3
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 9, 2020
Watch:
Vice President Mike Pence also addressed withholding the most secret information. [How could anyone trust these leakers in Congress?]
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