Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declined to say that President Donald Trump’s war in Iran was legal or constitutional.
During a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Thursday, Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) reminded Gabbard of her 2020 remarks about Trump’s strikes against Iran’s leadership.
“President Trump has committed an illegal and unconstitutional act of war, pushing our nation headlong into a war with Iran without any authorization from Congress,” Gabbard said at the time. “A war that would be so costly and devastating, it would make our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan look like a picnic.”
“This war has already been costly and devastating,” Bera said of Trump’s current war. “Thirteen American service members have lost their lives, including Chief Warrant Officer Robert Marzan from my home of Sacramento, California. Approximately 200 service members have been wounded.”
Bera noted that the war was also costing nearly $2 billion per day.
“Director Gabbard, do you still believe that strikes against Iran that don’t have congressional authorization constitute an illegal and unconstitutional act of war?” the lawmaker asked.
“The cost of war weighs very heavily upon me and my colleagues here, especially for those of us who have experienced and seen the cost of war firsthand,” Gabbard replied. “My own personal and political views, as I mentioned earlier, I was asked and required by Congress and by the president in this role as the Director of National Intelligence to check those views at the door to ensure that the intelligence assessments are not colored by my personal views.”
“And that’s exactly what I am responsible to deliver,” she added.
“Do you still believe the war with Iran would be so costly and devastating that it would make our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan look like a picnic?” Bera pressed.
“Once again, in this role, it is essential that I do not allow any of my personal views on any issues to color or bias the intelligence reporting that we deliver to you and to the president,” Gabbard responded.
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