Reed: Trump Administration Has Failed to Account for the War in Iran
WASHINGTON, DC — Nearly a month after President Trump unilaterally launched a war against Iran—without publicly making the case for war, without consulting Congress, and without articulating a clear strategy or endgame—the American public remains without answers. The Trump Administration has failed to provide the transparent, on-the-record testimony that Congress and the American people are owed.
Since the war began, Iran has struck U.S. bases and Israeli territory, attacked Gulf states, and closed the Strait of Hormuz—through which nearly 25 percent of the world’s oil flows. The global economy is reeling. President Trump has admitted he was shocked by Iran’s response, but every serious expert predicted Iran’s retaliatory actions and military planners reportedly warned the President in advance. Congressional Republicans have largely refused to hold the Administration accountable, blocking war powers resolutions and deferring to the White House despite lacking full information on costs, casualties, or legal authorities.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) stated: “The Trump Administration initiated this war at a time of its choosing, but unwisely entered into armed conflict without clear objectives, without a plan to protect the Strait of Hormuz, without allied coordination, and without a coherent theory of victory. It is past time for Secretary Hegseth to come before Congress and level with the American people about the status, cost, and direction of this conflict.”
Reed says that SASC Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) has operated in good faith and acknowledges the value of public hearings with top Administration officials, and Senator Reed expects Secretary Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine to appear at an open SASC hearing in the near term.
“Classified briefings are useful, but do not provide the full public discussion that the American people deserve. Servicemembers are risking their lives. Taxpayer dollars are being spent at an enormous rate. The public has a fundamental right to understand why this war is being fought, toward what end, and at what cost. Real accountability requires open hearings, on-the-record testimony, and a public record that citizens can evaluate,” Reed said, noting that House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI), stated: “we’re just not getting enough answers.”
As Politico reported, Chairman Rogers also stated that this is part of a broader issue with the Trump national security team: “This is not just about Epic Fury,” Rogers said. “This is a consistent pattern of tagging the base and saying, ‘We came over and briefed you.’ But they’re not telling us things, substantive things.”