Key Takeaways:
- Sen. Mark Warner, a top Democrat, says he has no idea what the U.S. policy on Iran is.
- He doubts President Trump and his team know either.
- A key briefing about Iran was canceled, leaving lawmakers in the dark.
- Warner criticizes Trump for making foreign policy decisions randomly.
- He warns that ignoring intelligence is dangerous.
A Top Democrat Speaks Out
Sen. Mark Warner, a leading Democrat and vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, made shocking comments about the Trump administration’s approach to Iran. Speaking to MSNBC’s Katy Tur, Warner admitted he’s completely confused about what the U.S. is trying to achieve with Iran. He even questioned whether President Trump himself knows the plan.
A Missing Briefing
Warner is part of the “Gang of 8,” a group of top lawmakers who get the most sensitive security updates. Despite his high position, he says he’s in the dark about Iran policy. A briefing with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was set for Wednesday but got canceled. Gabbard had to go to the White House instead. A senior administration official told NewsNation’s Kellie Meyer that the briefing will be rescheduled, but no date has been set.
Frustration and Confusion
When asked to share his thoughts on Iran, Warner shook his head and struggled to provide any clear answers. “Foreign policy by tweet is insane,” he said, criticizing Trump’s unpredictable style. Warner also pointed out that Trump’s statements on Iran have been all over the place. For example, Trump has changed his mind multiple times about whether he’d get involved in a conflict between Iran and Israel.
Ignoring Intelligence
Warner expressed serious concerns about Trump’s disregard for intelligence. “If this president is just going to ignore the intelligence community, why do they even do their job?” he asked. He emphasized that the intelligence hasn’t changed and that Iran hasn’t taken steps to build a bomb. Despite this, Trump is “basically dismissing all of the intelligence.”
A Broken Promise
Warner reminded viewers that many voters supported Trump because he promised not to get the U.S. into endless wars in the Middle East. But now, Warner fears that Trump’s chaotic approach is putting the country at risk. He even questioned what the rest of the world thinks about the U.S. under Trump’s leadership.
A Clash with Gabbard
The situation got even more heated when Trump clashed with Tulsi Gabbard. Earlier in the week, Gabbard said Iran wasn’t close to having a bomb. Trump fired back, saying, “I don’t care what she said. I think they were very close to having one.” This public disagreement highlights the confusion within the administration.
A Cabinet of Questions
Foreign affairs analyst Tom Friedman weighed in, saying Trump is paying the price for appointing inexperienced officials like Gabbard and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Friedman’s blunt assessment? “He appointed a cabinet of knuckleheads.”
What’s Next?
As the situation with Iran remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Sen. Warner’s comments reveal a deep distrust in Trump’s handling of foreign policy. With no clear plan and a president who seems to ignore expert advice, the stakes have never been higher. Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to unfold.