Sen. Lindsey Graham Says He Was Briefed On Soleimani Strike

Marina Fang
·2 min read

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), an ally and golf buddy of President Donald Trump, claimed Friday he had been briefed on the U.S. airstrike that killed Iran’s top general, while several top lawmakers were not.

“I was briefed about the potential operation when I was down in Florida. I appreciate being brought into the orbit. I really appreciate President Trump letting the world know you cannot kill an American without impunity,” Graham said on “Fox & Friends,” which the president frequently watches.

Earlier this week, Graham was spotted playing golf with the president at Trump’s club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Late Thursday, an aide to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he had not been briefed on the attack against Qassem Soleimani. As the top Senate Democrat, Schumer is a member of the Gang of Eight, a group of powerful lawmakers whom presidents and their staff traditionally keep updated about a range of sensitive national security issues.

In a later statement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), another member of the group, appeared to suggest that she was not briefed either.

“This action was taken without the consultation of the Congress,” she said. “The full Congress must be immediately briefed on this serious situation.”

Earlier Friday, Graham, who was once a staunch critic of Trump, tweeted praise for him.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.