White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt launched a sharp attack on CNN after the news outlet reported that Democratic congressional leaders, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, were not informed about President Donald Trump’s surprise strike on Iran. The report, which surfaced on Sunday, claimed that the White House did not brief the two senior Democratic figures prior to the attack, raising questions about communication within the administration. In response, Leavitt denounced the report as ‘fake news,’ accusing the network of spreading misinformation and demanding a retraction.
The strike, codenamed ‘Operation: Midnight Hammer,’ was a surprise attack on three of Iran’s major nuclear sites, executed late Saturday night. The White House announced the success of the operation shortly after, emphasizing its strategic benefits without seeking congressional approval, which has sparked widespread debate about the legality and oversight of such actions. CNN’s report indicated that Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, were informed before the strike, while Democrat leaders were only notified after the public announcement. This discrepancy has fueled tensions between the White House and Democratic lawmakers, with some accusing the administration of a lack of transparency.
Senators like Mark Warner, D-Va., and Rep. Jim Himes, D-Ct., who are on intelligence committees, were not notified until after the strike occurred. The report suggests that even as the strike unfolded, certain senior Democratic officials were left in the dark, which has drawn accusations of partisan bias. However, neither Schumer nor Jeffries publicly claimed that they were unaware of the strike in their subsequent statements. Instead, both leaders criticized the attack, with Schumer calling for the enforcement of the War Powers Act, a move that could limit the president’s unilateral decision-making power in military actions.
The incident highlights the growing divide between the White House and Democratic lawmakers, particularly regarding executive authority and the need for congressional oversight. While some Republicans supported the strike as a show of strength against Iran, Democrats have emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability. The controversy has sparked broader discussions about the role of the media in holding the administration accountable and whether the White House’s approach to communication is transparent enough to maintain trust with Congress and the public.