Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed the Gang of Eight on Iran hours before Mr. Trump’s address, in which the president could argue his case for potential strikes on the U.S. adversary. The Gang of Eight includes leaders in both chambers, as well as the top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.
Last week, Mr. Trump called for a “meaningful deal” with Iran, warning “bad things will happen” without one. He also said that Iran has 10 to 15 days to make a deal and that he was considering a limited military strike.
“This is serious, and the administration has to make its case to the American people,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, told reporters after the briefing.
Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, also urged the president to explain to the public why an attack against Iran is necessary.
“I think it is incumbent upon the president to make the case — what our country’s goals are, what our country’s interests are and how we’re going to protect American interests in the region. Maybe we’ll hear that tonight, but if we don’t hear it tonight, we need to hear it very, very, very soon,” Warner said.
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky plan to force a vote on a war powers resolution next week. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia has also said he will bring up a similar resolution in the Senate to limit military action against Iran without congressional approval.