Karoline Leavitt said on Saturday that Marco Rubio briefed the ‘Gang of Eight’ before the joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran, as questions were raised over whether Donald Trump acted without required congressional approval.
“Prior to the attacks, Secretary Rubio called all members of the gang of eight to provide congressional notification, and he was able to reach and brief seven of the eight members”, she wrote.
Mike Johnson who is a part of ‘Gang of Eight’ has also confirmed that the group had received a detailed briefing earlier this week about possible US military action against Iran.
Who is the ‘Gang of Eight’?
The “Gang of Eight” is a group of senior US lawmakers made up of top Republican and Democratic leaders from the Senate and the House of Representatives. Under US law, the executive branch must brief them on covert operations and highly classified intelligence matters, and they are usually informed by the White House when military action may be close.
According to The NBC News, the Gang of eight includes,
Mike Johnson (R-LA): Speaker of the US House of Representatives.
Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY): House Minority Leader.
John Thune (R-SD): Senate Majority Leader.
Chuck Schumer (D-NY): Senate Minority Leader.
Rick Crawford (R-AR): Chair of the House Intelligence Committee.
Jim Himes (D-CT): Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee.
Tom Cotton (R-AR): Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Mark Warner (D-VA): Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Johnson’s statement on Iran
In a written statement, Johnson said that “Today, Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions. President Trump and the Administration have made every effort to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions in response to the Iranian regime’s sustained nuclear ambitions and development, terrorism, and the murder of Americans—and even their own people,” Johnson wrote.
“For decades, Iran has defiantly maintained its nuclear program while arming and funding Hamas, Hezbollah, and other internationally recognized terrorist organizations. Iran and its proxies have menaced America and American lives, undermined our core national interests, systematically destabilized the Middle East, and threatened the security of the entire West”, he added.
Johnson further added that, “The Gang of 8 was briefed in detail earlier this week that military action may become necessary to protect American troops and American citizens in Iran. I received updates from Secretary Rubio thereafter, and I will remain in close contact with the President and the Department of War as this operation proceeds. We pray for the safety of our brave servicemembers and our allies involved in Operation Epic Fury. May God bless them, and may God bless America.”
