Senator Warner condemns Republicans-only briefing on US strikes near Venezuela as dangerous partisanship in national security matters.
WASHINGTON: The Trump administration held a Republicans-only briefing about United States military strikes on alleged drug vessels near Venezuela.
Senator Mark Warner of Virginia called this a dangerous trend of increasing partisanship in national security during a Thursday news conference.
“This is not how the system is supposed to work,” said Warner, the ranking member and former chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
He warned that politicising decisions about deploying servicemembers into harm’s way makes them less safe.
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Warner stated the administration outlined its legal justification for the strikes during Wednesday’s classified briefing.
He questioned why such legal justifications should remain classified when Congress has demanded more information.
The deadly strikes on boats off South America’s coast have killed nearly 60 people in recent weeks.
These operations occur amid rising tensions between the United States and both Venezuela and Colombia.
Traditionally, administrations brief the “Gang of Eight” bipartisan leadership on major security actions.
They also frequently hold classified sessions for all members of Congress regardless of party affiliation.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly did not specifically address excluding Democrats from Wednesday’s briefing.
She instead accused Democrats of “running cover for foreign drug smugglers” in her response.
Kelly noted the administration has held six bipartisan briefings with more scheduled.
The Pentagon stated it has conducted bipartisan briefings and will continue doing so.
Pentagon officials provided few public details about strike targets but acknowledged some were from Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador.
The Trump administration insists those targeted were transporting drugs without providing evidence.
It has not publicly explained the legal justification for attacking boats rather than arresting suspects.
President Trump has also ordered a major military buildup in the Caribbean region.
Democratic and Republican senators introduced resolutions to stop strikes without congressional approval.
They cited the constitutional requirement that Congress authorises war, not the president.
One resolution was narrowly defeated while another should receive a vote in coming weeks.
Warner said the administration has made national security more partisan for months.
He cited the Iran strike in June when only Republicans received congressional notification.
Warner’s planned oversight visit to an intelligence agency was cancelled in September after far-right criticism.
He appreciated Senator Mike Rounds saying Democrats should have been included in the Venezuela briefing.
Warner noted other Republicans should have also spoken up about the exclusion.
Aides to Rounds and Senator Tom Cotton did not immediately respond to comment requests.
Administration officials held a classified briefing for the House Armed Services Committee involving both parties on Thursday. – Reuters
