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Former CIA Chief to Brief Dems on Iran 05/19 08:54
House Democrats will hear from former CIA Director John Brennan about the
situation in Iran, inviting him to speak next week amid heightened concerns
over the Trump administration's sudden moves in the region.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Democrats will hear from former CIA Director John
Brennan about the situation in Iran, inviting him to speak next week amid
heightened concerns over the Trump administration's sudden moves in the region.
Brennan, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, is scheduled to talk
to House Democrats at a private weekly caucus meeting Tuesday, according to a
Democratic aide and another person familiar with the private meeting. Both were
granted anonymity to discuss the meeting.
The invitation to Brennan and Wendy Sherman, a former State Department
official and top negotiator of the Iran nuclear deal, offers counterprogramming
to the Trump administration's closed-door briefing for lawmakers also planned
for Tuesday on Capitol Hill. Democratic lawmakers are likely to attend both
sessions.
The Trump administration recently sent an aircraft carrier and other
military resources to the Persian Gulf region, and withdrew nonessential
personnel from Iraq, raising alarm among Democrats and some Republicans on
Capitol Hill over the possibility of a confrontation with Iran.
Trump in recent days has downplayed any potential for conflict. But
questions remain about what prompted the actions, and many lawmakers have
demanded more information.
Trump and Brennan have clashed openly, particularly over the issues
surrounding the special counsel's probe of Russian interference in the 2016
election. Brennan stepped down from the CIA in 2017.
The president last year said he was revoking the former spy chief's security
credentials after Brennan was critical of Trump's interactions with Russian
President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Helsinki. Top national security
officials often retain their clearance after they have left an agency as a way
to provide counsel to their successors. It's unclear if Brennan actually lost
his clearance.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had been asking the administration for a briefing
for all lawmakers on the situation in Iran, but she said the request was
initially rebuffed. The administration provided a classified briefing for
leaders of both parties last week.
(CZ)
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