Senate Democrats ramp up pressure campaign for public hearings on war with Iran

"Here we are well into the second week, and it is still the case that the Trump administration cannot explain the reasons that we entered this war, the goals we're trying to accomplish, and the methods for doing that. Democrats said the classified nature of these briefings hamstrings lawmakers from being transparent with their constituents about key components of the war."

"Not only for that region, but for the entire world, because they continued -- Iran -- to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. They are on the way to nuclear capability, and they're holding that entire region hostage and American interests as well. So I think this was an important mission to accomplish, and hopefully it'll be accomplished soon."

"Administration officials have offered various and sometimes conflicting justifications for the war, referencing Iran's growing ballistic missile program, its naval fleet, its network of terror proxy groups across the Middle East, and its nuclear ambitions."

Senate Democrats are calling for public hearings with testimony from top Trump administration officials regarding the U.S. and Israel's military action against Iran on February 28. Following classified briefings with the Senate Armed Services Committee, Democrats argue that the classified nature of these briefings prevents lawmakers from transparently communicating with constituents about the war's key components. The Trump administration has offered varying justifications for the military action, including Iran's ballistic missile program, naval capabilities, proxy terror networks, and nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans have publicly supported the operation, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune characterizing it as potentially generational in impact and emphasizing Iran's role as a state sponsor of terrorism and nuclear threat.

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