'They can't back up his bluster': Lawmakers fume as Trump cancels Iran briefing

Congressional Democrats fumed Tuesday after the Trump administration abruptly canceled its scheduled classified briefing to bring the House of Representatives up to speed on President Donald Trump's decision to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities without authorization.

No follow-up date was provided, according to reports.

Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY) posted a lengthy complaint to social media, writing, "Trump just cancelled a classified House briefing on the Iran strikes with zero explanation. The real reason? He claims he destroyed 'all nuclear facilities and capability;' his team knows they can’t back up his bluster and BS."

Ryan continued, "They also can’t get their briefers on the same page. Every one of the people who was supposed to come today has a different conclusion on how close Iran was to breaking out and on how successful the operation was. Tulsi probably still doesn’t know it was cancelled."

Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) posted a list of the officials originally scheduled to give the briefing: National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine, plus the deputy secretaries of State and Defense.

Crowe called the last-minute cancellation, "Completely unacceptable," adding, "We deserve answers — now!"

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) wrote, "We require and the administration is obligated--per the Constitution and the War Powers Act--to give us information. At a minimum, the full committees of Armed Services, Foreign Affairs and Intel need immediate briefings.

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) demanded, "Congress must be briefed."

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) seethed, "Today’s classified Israel-Iran briefing for the House by the Trump administration has been canceled because they don’t know how to brief about ever-changing, conflicting Trump positions—a bundle of contradictions. They don’t know what he will tweet or do next."

He added, "The only certainty is that thanks to his House GOP enablers, he will evade accountability, avoid seeking congressional authorization, and claim credit for any arguable positive development, whether he had anything to do with it or not."

The administration also pushed back its separate Senate briefing until Thursday.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) addressed reporters at the Capitol, saying, "What are they afraid of? It's outrageous, it's evasive, it's derelict. They're bobbing and weaving and ducking...There's a legal obligation."