White House Responds to CNN Report Calling It ‘Fake News’ on Iran Strike Briefings

White House Responds to CNN Report Calling It ‘Fake News’ on Iran Strike Briefings

On Sunday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a strong response to a CNN article alleging that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries were not informed about President Donald Trump’s military action against Iran.

President Trump initiated Operation Midnight Hammer on Saturday, targeting three critical nuclear facilities in Iran during an unexpected military operation. The White House later confirmed the successful execution of the strike.

According to CNN, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, both Republicans, received prior briefings about the impending strikes. In contrast, Schumer and Jeffries, both Democrats, were reportedly notified only before the public announcement and well after the attack had occurred.

Leavitt labeled the report as fake news in a statement on social media platform X.

“This is fake news. The White House made bipartisan courtesy calls to Congressional leadership and spoke to @SenSchumer before the strike. @RepJeffries could not be reached until after, but he was briefed. @CNN, please retract,” she stated.

In light of the unfolding controversy, Fox News Digital sought comments from both Schumer and Jeffries’ offices regarding the alleged lack of briefings.

The CNN report also pointed out that Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Jim Himes (D-CT), who sit on their respective intelligence committees in the Senate and House, were not informed until after the strikes were executed.

CNN has yet to respond officially to requests for clarification on the matter.

After the bombing, both Schumer and Jeffries condemned President Trump’s actions. They criticized his failure to seek authorization from Congress for the military action against Iran.

While they reprimanded the President for his unilateral decision, neither leader claimed they had not received any briefings prior to the strike.

In a public statement, Schumer urged Thune to adhere to the War Powers Act.

“No president should be allowed to unilaterally march this nation into something as consequential as war with erratic threats and no strategy,” he stated, highlighting the importance of congressional involvement in military decisions.

As the political discourse heats up surrounding the operation in Iran, the White House continues to push back against narratives that imply a lack of communication with Democratic leadership. The situation underscores ongoing tensions in U.S. foreign policy and governance.

Despite the back-and-forth between the White House and CNN, officials remain steadfast in their positions, presenting an evolving narrative that could influence public opinion and political dynamics.

The communication strategies employed by the White House not only aim to clarify their stance but also seek to reshape the media discourse around military operations and executive authority. As this story develops, it will likely serve as a pivotal point in discussions regarding Congressional oversight of military actions.