Schiff Previews Potential Hearings On Soleimani Killing

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, speaks to reporters about the actions of Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., as the panel continues to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the possible link to President Donald Trump's campaign, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, March 24, 2017.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, speaks to reporters about the actions of Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., as the panel continues to investigate Russian interference ... Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, speaks to reporters about the actions of Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., as the panel continues to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the possible link to President Donald Trump's campaign, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, March 24, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff expressed his interest Monday in seeing open hearings on President Trump’s decision to assassinate Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. In a Washington Post interview, Schiff also expressed skepticism that Trump’s order had the united backing of his administration.

“I think there should be open hearings on this subject,” Schiff told Washington Post op-ed columnist Greg Sargent. “The president has put us on a path where we may be at war with Iran. That requires the Congress to fully engage.”

It’s unclear whether such a hearing could be hosted by Schiff’s committee, or if Schiff was speaking about the potential that another committee would hold hearings on the matter. His spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry by TPM.

Schiff, citing the intelligence he had seen about the decision, questioned whether the administration was united in its recommendation to kill Soleimani. Previous Democratic and Republican administrations also reportedly considered assassinating Soleimani — who has orchestrated campaigns that have killed thousands of people, including Americans — but backed away from such a move due to the widespread consequences it would have in the Middle East.

“I don’t think the intelligence was of the kind of character that would lead to a uniform recommendation that Soleimani should be killed,” Schiff said in the Washington Post interview. “I think that was an impulsive judgment made by the president.”

Schiff accused Trump of “making decisions by the seat of his pants while he’s on vacation in Mar-a-Lago.”

Latest News
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: