Top Republicans accuse Trump admin of hiding Iran war strategy: 'They're not telling us things'

WASHINGTON, DC: House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-AL) blasted the Pentagon on Wednesday, March 25, accusing them of maintaining a “consistent pattern” of secrecy and stating, “they’re not telling us things.” 

His remarks followed a closed-door briefing on ‘Operation Epic Fury’ that left top lawmakers furious over a lack of clarity regarding the Iran war.

Mike Rogers blasts Pentagon secrecy

Politico’s Connor O’Brien reported that Representative Mike Rogers expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of information provided during the closed door briefing, noting that the Pentagon failed to clarify the strategic options currently under consideration. 

“We want to know more about what’s going on, what the options are, and why they’re being considered,” Rogers said, adding, “We’re just not getting enough answers.”

He further criticized the administration's approach to legislative oversight, suggesting that the briefings were just a formality than providing actual information.

“This is not just about Epic Fury,” he continued, adding, “This is a consistent pattern of tagging the base and saying ‘We came over and briefed you.’ But they’re not telling us things.”

Roger Wicker calls for transparency

Meanwhile, Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-MS) also agreed that the Pentagon is being too quiet about their strategy. 

Even though he didn't hear Rogers's specific words at first, he felt the same frustration after his own briefing. 

“Let me put it this way, I can see why he might have said that. I haven’t heard his comment, and I don’t know the context. But I can see why he might have said that,” Wicker remarked.

Wicker explained that while he doesn't need to know every move, he needs to know the general plan for the country. 

“We just wanted them to tell us what’s the plan, and we didn’t get any answers,” Wicker added.

“I understand they can’t give us, they shouldn’t give us, specific operational details. But generally, we should be able to get more texture than we’re receiving from them,” he stated.

82nd Airborne deployment sparks ground war concerns

The timing of these briefings is particularly sensitive as President Trump on March 24 ordered the 82nd Airborne deployment to the Middle East. 

National security analysts, including the Wall Street Journal's Alex Ward, suggested that the public pushback from GOP chairs hints at a significant shift toward a ground operation. 

This was further amplified by Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC), who reportedly walked out of the briefing in protest of the suggested strategy. 

Taking to social media to voice her opposition to further military entanglement, Mace warned of a repeat of historical foreign policy errors. 

“Washington’s war machine is hard at work. They are try to drag us into Iran to make it another Iraq. We can’t let them,” Mace posted following the briefing.