Democrats demand top Trump aides testify on Iran war decisions, planning

All Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats on Monday demanded top Trump administration officials appear before the panel to testify on the decisions, diplomacy and planning related to the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.

In a letter led by ranking member Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the lawmakers call on Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner to appear before the committee so “the American people can better understand the Administration’s strategy toward Iran.”

The members say they want insight into the administration’s decision to appoint Witkoff and Kushner to lead nuclear talks with Iran prior to President Trump deciding to attack the country. They write that Congress must understand how the negotiations were conducted, claiming that the administration has repeatedly refused to make the two men available. 

“These individuals, both drawn from the real estate industry rather than diplomatic or national security backgrounds, were placed in charge of one of the most consequential negotiations facing the United States,” according to the lawmakers. “The decisions made during this process have now resulted in an unauthorized military conflict with Iran, with profound consequences for the security of the American people, the stability of the Middle East, and global energy markets that directly affect American families.”

The U.S., along with Israel, on Feb. 28 began a bombing campaign on Iran after Trump declared Iran had restarted its nuclear program and was developing missiles capable of striking the U.S. The decision came after Witkoff and Kushner participated in three rounds of talks with Iranian officials aimed at reaching a nuclear agreement, though Trump said he was “not happy” with how they were going.

Administration officials have said they expect war with Iran to last four to six weeks, which means at least two weeks remain, as the war has threatened to spin out into a wider regional conflict.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast (R-Fla.) so far has declined to hold a public hearing on the war.

“If the Administration believes its approach toward Iran has been successful and justified, then it should welcome the opportunity to explain its decisions to Congress and the American people,” the lawmakers write. 

They request that Witkoff and Kushner appear before the panel for a public hearing at the earliest possible opportunity, and also for Rubio and Hegseth to appear.

“The stakes of the current conflict, including risks to U.S. service members, regional stability, and the global economy, demand transparency and accountability,” they write. “Congress and the American people deserve a clear explanation of the diplomatic and strategic decisions that brought us to this moment.”

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