The top two Republicans on Capitol Hill say they were not notified by the administration ahead of the weekend raid that led to the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
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 on Monday that they were not given a heads up — a day after Democrats criticized 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 for failing to notify them.
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“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 that he was not notified in advance but was notified after the fact. A spokesperson for McCarthy confirmed his comments.
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.
“The administration attempted to let me know. I didn’t connect with them before the president’s press conference, but they attempted to let me know before he went public. So the two situations were handled exactly the same from my point of view,” McConnell added.
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The disclosure that top members of congressional GOP leadership weren’t notified comes after top Democrats noted on Sunday that Trump failed to give them advanced notice despite being members of the Gang of Eight — the group of lawmakers with the highest access to classified information.
“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 on Sunday.
Trump also didn’t notify 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.), another member of the Gang of Eight.
Trump has defended the decision, calling Schiff the “biggest leaker in Washington.”
“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 on Monday. “And the answer is: Because I think Adam Schiff is the biggest leaker in Washington.”
The president had announced Sunday that some Washington leaders were not kept in the loop for fear of “Washington leaks,” saying “leaks could have caused the death of all of them,” referring to the special operations forces carrying out the operation.
The president did report telling Sens. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution There is no prize in Syria for the US McConnell, McCarthy not notified ahead of Baghdadi raid MORE (R-S.C.) and Richard BurrRichard Mauze BurrMcConnell, McCarthy not notified ahead of Baghdadi raid Trump: ‘Schiff is the biggest leaker in Washington’ Former North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan dies at 66 MORE (R-N.C.) after the raid was successful.
-Rebecca Kheel contributed