Happy Monday and welcome to Overnight Defense. I’m Rebecca Kheel, and here’s your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the newsletter.
THE TOPLINE: Washington reacted Monday to the news that a U.S. military raid ended in the death of the world’s most wanted terrorist, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
President TrumpDonald John TrumpJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry READ: Army officer to tell investigators he twice reported concerns over Trump’s Ukraine dealings Murkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution MORE announced Sunday that a raid in the northwest Syrian town of Barisha ended after U.S. troops chased al-Baghdadi into a tunnel where he exploded his suicide vest, killing himself and three children.
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“The thug who tried so hard to intimidate others spent his last moments in utter fear, in total panic and dread, terrified of the American forces bearing down on him,” Trump said Sunday, claiming that Baghdadi died “whimpering.”
Trump may release video: Trump said Monday he is considering releasing portions of the video of the U.S. military raid that led to al-Baghdadi’s death.
“We’re thinking about it. We may,” Trump told reporters Monday when asked about the prospect of releasing the footage at Andrews Air Force Base. “We may take certain parts of it and release it, yes.”
Trump described the raid in northwest Syria in great detail when announcing al-Baghdadi’s death in an address on Sunday morning. Trump said he watched much of the raid in the Situation Room, likening it to “watching a movie.”
Two captured: The Pentagon revealed Monday that two adult men were captured in the operation.
“There were two adult males taken off the objective alive, they’re in our custody,” Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley told reporters at the Pentagon.
Milley also said that U.S. personnel have disposed of al-Baghdadi’s remains after they were transported to a secure facility to confirm his identity with forensic DNA testing.
“The disposal of his remains has been done and is complete and was handled appropriately,” Milley said.
Milley also said he didn’t know where Trump got the information on al-Baghdadi “whimpering,” but left open the possibility the president heard it from someone he hasn’t spoked to.
“I note the president had planned to talk down to the unit and unit members, but I don’t know what the source of that was, but I assume it was talking directly to the unit and the unit members,” said Milley, who added he has not spoken with unit members.
Trump defends not briefing Dems: Democrats celebrated al-Baghdadi’s death, but they also criticized Trump for not briefing them ahead of time.
“The House must be briefed on this raid, which the Russians but not top Congressional Leadership were notified of in advance, and on the Administration’s overall strategy in the region. Our military and allies deserve strong, smart and strategic leadership from Washington,” House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry Murkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Pelosi calls for Congress to pass resolution supporting two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict MORE (D-Calif.) said in a statement Sunday.
Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerSenate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves Man explains refusing to shake McConnell’s hand at Cummings memorial: ‘I couldn’t do it’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Better Medicare Alliance – ISIS leader dead; Congresswoman resigns MORE (D-N.Y.) also said in a statement Sunday he looks forward to receiving a briefing about the raid and the administration’s plan to deal with escaped ISIS prisoners.
On Monday, Trump defended not briefing Democrats by attacking House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry Top Republicans say impeachment resolution is too little too late Ex-Trump official’s refusal to testify escalates impeachment tensions MORE (D-Calif.), who is leading the House’s impeachment inquiry into Trump.
“Well, I guess the only thing is they were talking about why didn’t I give the information to Adam Schiff and his committee,” Trump told reporters. “And the answer is: Because I think Adam Schiff is the biggest leaker in Washington.”
Trump added that he didn’t tell Schiff about because “he’s a corrupt politician” and “a leaker like nobody has ever seen before.”
Top Republicans say they didn’t get a briefing either: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Senate rejects Paul effort to cut spending Overnight Defense: Latest on al-Baghdadi’s death | Trump weighs releasing raid video | Pentagon reveals 2 suspects captured in raid | House to vote on impeachment procedures | Border wall fight stalls defense bill MORE (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyTop Republicans say impeachment resolution is too little too late Shimkus says he’s been asked to reconsider retirement Overnight Defense: Latest on al-Baghdadi’s death | Trump weighs releasing raid video | Pentagon reveals 2 suspects captured in raid | House to vote on impeachment procedures | Border wall fight stalls defense bill MORE (R-Calif.) separately told reporters Monday they were not given a heads up either.
“I wasn’t, but I was in the similar position when President Obama ordered the attack on Osama bin Laden. I was not called in advance then, nor do I expect to be called in advance now,” McConnell told reporters.
McCarthy separately told CNN and NBC that he was not notified in advance. A spokesperson for McCarthy confirmed his comments to The Hill.
McConnell added that the administration reached out to him before the operation went public, but after the raid occurred, but they failed to connect. McConnell was spotted talking with Trump during Sunday night’s World Series baseball game.
Hero dog captivates: A military dog that was injured in the raid has stolen the hearts of the public.
Trump on Monday tweeted out a declassified photo of the dog, calling the canine “wonderful.”
“We have declassified a picture of the wonderful dog (name not declassified) that did such a GREAT JOB in capturing and killing the Leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi!” he tweeted alongside the picture.
More details on the dog are scarce.
As Trump mentioned in the tweet, the name is not being release because it is classified.
Milley told reporters dog was “slightly wounded and fully recovering.” He added the dog is “still in theater, returned to duty with its handler.”
Explaining the classification of the dog’s name, Milley said “it’s a classified unit, we’re protecting the dog’s identity.”
IMPEACHMENT LATEST: House Democrats will for the first time vote on impeachment procedures on Thursday, a shift in their strategy seemingly meant to cut off GOP arguments about an unfair process.
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Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), the chairman of the House Rules Committee, said Monday that he will introduce a resolution this week to “ensure transparency” and “provide a clear path forward” in the impeachment inquiry.
The text of the resolution has yet to be released, but McGovern plans to introduce it Tuesday ahead of a markup in his committee Wednesday. A senior Democratic aide said that the resolution is expected to hit the House floor on Thursday.
It would be the first formal vote on the new impeachment process by the House since Pelosi threw her support behind an inquiry in September.
Democrats have insisted they did not need to hold a floor vote to launch the impeachment inquiry itself, despite calls for such a vote from the White House and Republicans.
Pelosi explained the move in a letter to House Democrats that suggested it would give the caucus new leverage with the administration.
“We are taking this step to eliminate any doubt as to whether the Trump Administration may withhold documents, prevent witness testimony, disregard duly authorized subpoenas, or continue obstructing the House of Representatives,” Pelosi wrote in the letter.
The resolution will not launch the investigation, as Democrats continue to say there is no reason to hold such a vote.
Instead, it is expected to affirm the ongoing investigation and establish procedures for public hearings, authorize the release of witness deposition transcripts and outline the process for transferring evidence to the House Judiciary Committee, which would be tasked with drafting and approving articles of impeachment.
White House official refuses to testify: Earlier in the day, House Democrats threatened to charge a key witness in their impeachment investigation with contempt after he defied a subpoena and failed to show up at the Capitol.
Schiff said the lawsuit filed by Charles Kupperman, a deputy to former national security adviser John BoltonJohn BoltonJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry Ex-Trump official’s refusal to testify escalates impeachment tensions Overnight Defense: Latest on al-Baghdadi’s death | Trump weighs releasing raid video | Pentagon reveals 2 suspects captured in raid | House to vote on impeachment procedures | Border wall fight stalls defense bill MORE, questioning his obligation to appear before Congress “has no basis in law” since Kupperman is now a private citizen.
Schiff said Democrats will forge ahead with their impeachment investigation, vowing not to let the White House bog their investigation down in the courts.
“This is deeply regrettable. He was compelled to appear by a lawful congressional subpoena,” Schiff told reporters. “Witnesses like Dr. Kupperman need to do their duty and show up.”
“A private citizen cannot sue the Congress to try to avoid coming in when they’re served with a lawful subpoena. And we expect that the court will make short shrift of that argument. But nonetheless we move forward.”
NDAA IN JEOPARDY?: Negotiations over the annual policy bill have stalled amid an impasse over Trump’s border wall.
Over the weekend, we took a look at where things stand on this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The border wall was always expected to be among the most difficult issues in this year’s NDAA conference discussions. But grievances from the leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services committees that have spilled into public from the private negotiations suggest a murky path forward for a bill that has been signed into law for nearly 60 years straight.
“I want to be really clear about this: There is one, and only one, reason why we’re not making progress on the bill, and that’s the wall,” House Armed Services Chairman Adam SmithDavid (Adam) Adam SmithOvernight Defense: Latest on al-Baghdadi’s death | Trump weighs releasing raid video | Pentagon reveals 2 suspects captured in raid | House to vote on impeachment procedures | Border wall fight stalls defense bill On The Money: Trump wall fight endangers must-pass defense bill | Slumping Halloween sales spook analysts | Survey finds business hiring has fallen | Dems eye tax hikes on corporations, financial transactions Trump wall endangers must-pass defense bill MORE (D-Wash.) said.
Senate Armed Services Chairman Jim InhofeJames (Jim) Mountain InhofeThe Hill’s 12:30 Report — Presented by Nareit — White House cheers Republicans for storming impeachment hearing GOP senators frustrated with Romney jabs at Trump The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Better Medicare Alliance – Diplomat’s ‘powerful’ testimony and ‘lynching’ attract headlines MORE (R-Okla.) said separately that negotiations are “not going well” and that the “border issue is probably the one that is the biggest issue.”
Read more here.
ON TAP FOR TOMORROW
The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for the nominees to be chief management officers of the Pentagon, chief information officer of the Pentagon and general counsel of the Navy at 9:30 a.m. at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, room G-50. https://bit.ly/2WkeltU
The House Armed Services Committee’s Future of Defense Task Force will hold a hearing on “Theories of Victory” at 10 a.m. at the Rayburn House Office Building, room 2118. https://bit.ly/36eUIba
A House Foreign Affairs Committee subpanel will hold a hearing on the administration’s policy in the Middle East at 2 p.m. at Rayburn 2172. https://bit.ly/2PttUhl
A House Oversight Committee subpanel will hold a hearing on the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency at 2 p.m. at Rayburn 2154. https://bit.ly/2WvGONH
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for the nominees to be ambassadors to the Marshal Islands, Georgia, Lithuania and Albania at 2:30 p.m. at Dirksen 419. https://bit.ly/2JtPcry
ICYMI
— The Hill: Biden: ISIS leader killed despite Trump’s ‘ineptitude’ as commander in chief
— The Hill: Security increasing at ISIS prisons after al-Baghdadi death
— The Hill: Opinion: The demise of American soft power
— The Hill: Opinion: Al-Baghdadi killing heralds Trump’s dumping of Afghanistan