Politics in the Pentagon: Democrats Left Out of the Loop on Military Strikes

A recent classified briefing about U.S. military strikes on suspected drug vessels near Venezuela has sparked controversy. The Trump administration held a meeting that only invited Republicans, raising concerns about the politicization of national security.

Senator Mark Warner's Criticism

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) expressed disapproval, stating that this is not how things are supposed to work. He argued that involving politics in decisions about sending troops into danger compromises their safety.

The administration shared their legal reasoning for the strikes during the briefing. Warner questioned why this information was kept secret. Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress have been pushing for more details about the strikes, which have resulted in nearly 60 deaths in recent weeks as tensions rise between the U.S., Venezuela, and Colombia.

Traditional Briefing Practices

Traditionally, both parties have been included in briefings about major national security actions. These briefings are usually held for the "Gang of Eight"—top leaders from both parties in the intelligence committees and Congress. Sometimes, classified sessions are held for all members of Congress.

White House Response

When asked about the exclusion of Democrats, the White House spokesperson did not directly address the issue. Instead, she accused Democrats of protecting foreign drug smugglers. She mentioned that the administration has held six bipartisan briefings, with more planned, and that the Pentagon is making senior officials available to answer questions.

Lack of Transparency on Targets

The Pentagon has not provided many public details about the people targeted in the strikes. They have only acknowledged that some were from Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. The Trump administration claims that those targeted were transporting drugs, but they have not provided evidence or explained why they chose to attack the boats instead of stopping them and arresting those on board.

Military Buildup and Congressional Resolutions

Trump has also ordered a major military buildup in the Caribbean. Both Democratic and Republican senators have introduced resolutions to stop the strikes without lawmakers' approval. They argue that the U.S. Constitution requires Congress, not the president, to authorize war. One resolution was narrowly defeated, and the second is expected to come up for a vote in the coming weeks.

Warner's Criticism of the Administration

Warner has been critical of the Trump administration's approach to national security. He cited examples like the administration's decision to only invite Republicans when it struck Iran in June. In September, Warner's planned oversight visit to an intelligence agency was canceled after criticism from a far-right activist.

Bipartisan Support for Inclusion

Warner appreciated that Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) spoke up after the briefing, stating that Democrats should have been included. However, Warner wished that other Republicans had also spoken up.

Aides to Rounds did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Nor did a spokesperson for Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), the chairman of the intelligence panel.

Positive Development: Bipartisan Briefing

On a positive note, administration officials held a classified briefing on Thursday for the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, involving members from both parties, according to a congressional aide.