The Biden government informed Congressional leadership before ordering attacks on Iranian-backed militia groups in Syria on Thursday and plans to give lawmakers a full confidential briefing early next week, according to the White House.
“The Department of Defense informed the Congress leadership before the action last night. Management is informing Hill at the member and employee levels today. There will be a full confidential briefing at the beginning of next week, at the latest, ”White House press secretary Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiBiden ‘disappointed’ by Senate parliamentary decision, but ‘respects’ decision CORRECTED: Night defense: COVID-19 hinders effort to study sexual assault in military academies | Saudi king Biden speaks ahead of Khashoggi report The Memo: Biden faces the first major setback while Tanden swings MORE said in a statement.
Psaki also told reporters aboard Air Force One that President biden
Joe BidenBiden ‘disappointed’ by the Senate parliamentary decision, but ‘respects’ the decision Taylor Swift celebrates the passage of the Equality Act in the House Donald Trump Jr. calls Bruce Springsteen’s dropped charges a ‘liberal privilege’ MORE authorized the attacks to send an “unambiguous message” to Iran that “it will act to protect the Americans”.
“The president is sending an unmistakable message that he will act to protect Americans and, when there are threats, he has the right to act at any time and in any way he wants,” said Psaki. “He will also take these actions deliberately and with the aim of reducing activity in Syria and Iraq.”
The US military launched air strikes against facilities used by Iranian-backed militia groups in eastern Syria on Thursday night in retaliation for rocket attacks on US military personnel and other interests in Iraq earlier this month.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby on Friday also confirmed that the Defense Department notified Congressional leadership prior to the attacks and said government officials have plans for a full-fledged secret meeting planned for early next week.
In addition, the Pentagon made a point of consulting coalition partners before the movement, as well as contacting and notifying the Russian government shortly before the strike, using the current channels of conflict.
Kirby also provided more details about the attack, which was carried out by two F-15 Strike Eagles who dropped seven precision-guided munitions “totally destroying nine facilities and partially destroying two facilities, making them functionally destroyed”.
Preliminary details reveal that there were casualties at the scene, but Kirby declined to discuss the details citing an assessment of the damage from the ongoing battle.
Some Democrats in Congress criticized the strikes and demanded immediate instructions, raising questions about the government’s legal authority.
“The American people deserve to hear the government’s justification for these strikes and their legal justification for acting without coming to Congress,” said the senator. Tim Kaine
Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineSenators did not give a deadline for the removal of the National Guard, the Capitol surrounds Democrats at a standstill over the minimum wage Democrats plan to crack down on rising drug costs MORE (D-Va.) Said in a statement. “Offensive military action without Congressional approval is not constitutional in the absence of extraordinary circumstances. Congress must be fully informed on this matter quickly ”.
Psaki said that Biden’s national security team conducted a legal review prior to the strike and that the president acted in accordance with his Article II authority.
Updated at 14:51