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(CNN) - President Donald Trump admitted Sunday that the White House did not inform some key Democrats about the bold incursion that resulted in the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The decision not to make notable leaders known goes against the usual tradition of high profile operations. Bipartisan praise for the US mission It was undermined by criticism that the Trump administration did not inform congressional leaders about this in advance and emerged amid broader concerns about strategy in the region after the US withdraw troops from Syria.
After praising the “heroism, dedication and skill of our military and our intelligence professionals,” House of Representatives President Nancy Pelosi said that the “Russians, but not the main leaders of Congress, were notified of the raid. in advance".
"Our military and allies deserve strong, intelligent and strategic leadership from Washington," he said in a statement on Sunday.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said at an unrelated press conference on Sunday in New York that he learned of Baghdadi's death after watching him on television.
"I did not know, I did not know it. I saw it on television, ”said the New York Democrat. When asked about his reaction to the news, Schumer added: “My reaction? Look, it's great that we caught al-Baghdadi and killed him. He is a dangerous man, an evil man. The fight against ISIS must continue. ”
In a statement released later Sunday, Schumer said: "I hope to receive an information session about this raid and the plan to deal with escaped ISIS prisoners."
The chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Commission, Adam Schiff, called the raid an "operational success," but also said he was not informed about the raid before it happened.
“If this intensified, if something went wrong, if we got into a fight with the Russians, it is advantageous for the administration to say: 'We informed Congress that we were going to enter, they were aware of the risks. At least we gave them the opportunity to provide comments, '”said the California Democrat on ABC's“ This Week ”on Sunday. “That was not done here. I think it's a mistake, but let's not lose sight of the fact that it was a success and that a ruthless murderer has been removed from the battlefield. ”
Trump said the administration did not inform lawmakers due to fear that they would leak information to the media that could cost American lives, a measure dismissing legislative power that will only further affect relations with Congress. Pelosi and the House of Representatives leaders began a political trial investigation against Trump in September, deepening a gap between the president and the Democrats.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Political Judgment