In brief
Democrats express outrage as the Trump administration postpones Congress briefings on military strikes against Iran, raising concerns over transparency and adherence to the War Powers Resolution.
June 24, 2025, 3:53 p.m. ET — The Trump administration is facing backlash after it postponed crucial classified briefings with Congress regarding recent U.S. military strikes in Iran. This announcement, made on Tuesday, has led many Democrats to criticize the lack of communication from President Trump regarding the details of the offensive.Originally, lawmakers from both the House and Senate were scheduled for private sessions on Tuesday to receive updates on the U.S. strikes targeting three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, which were followed by retaliatory attacks on an American military base in Qatar. These briefings were expected to include key figures like Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence; CIA Director John Ratcliffe; and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.However, the Senate briefing is now set for Thursday, while the House session has been pushed to Friday, according to anonymous sources familiar with the situation. The delays come in the wake of ongoing tensions in the Middle East, following a cease-fire agreement announced by Trump between Iran and Israel just before heading to the NATO summit in the Netherlands. Several Democrats are pushing for the administration to comply with the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which mandates that the president inform Congress within 48 hours of any military action and provide a classified briefing thereafter. In response, Trump sent Congress a memo asserting that the strikes were executed under his constitutional powers "to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad" and to further U.S. national security interests.
