Lawmaker who served tours in Iraq says Trump must provide plan on Iran

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), who served multiple tours in Iraq, said Friday that the Trump administration needs to explain to Congress its plan for Iran after a U.S. strike killed one of the country’s top generals.

“The Administration must come to Congress immediately and consult,” Slotkin, a former CIA analyst, said in a statement.

“Congress also has a deep interest in the future of our relationship with Iraq, given our investment of blood and treasure there to rid the region of ISIS,” she added. “Congress needs to understand the Administration’s plan as soon as possible.”

Slotkin, a moderate Democrat who flipped a Republican seat in 2018, is viewed as a vulnerable Democrat in the 2020 elections. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has rated her race a “toss up.”

Slotkin’s comments follow a statement from Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) saying the strike, which killed Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani, was not authorized by Congress and lawmakers were not consulted.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Friday that he was working to set up a classified briefing for all senators on the matter.

Slotkin said that when calculating whether to target Soleimani, “the ultimate ends didn’t justify the means.” She warned that Iran, which has threatened “harsh retaliation,” could hit back in a number of ways.

“It is critical that the Administration has thought out the moves and counter-moves this attack will precipitate, and is prepared to protect our diplomats, service members, and citizens serving overseas,” Slotkin said.

Many Democrats have criticized the attack, with Pelosi saying it could provoke “further dangerous escalation of violence.”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended the administration’s decision to kill Soleimani, saying Friday that there had been “imminent threats to American lives.”

President Trump on Friday said in a tweet that Soleimani was “plotting to kill many” Americans.