In a revealing interview, Rep. Jim Himes, a top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, expressed his concerns over how the current administration has handled military actions against Iran, revealing that he learned about significant U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities through social media.
“This administration has been uniquely bad about responding to the constitutionally mandated jobs of oversight that we do,” Himes stated during an appearance on Morning Edition. He highlighted a discrepancy in communication, noting that his Republican counterpart on the committee, Rick Crawford, was informed prior to the military action, while he, as a Democrat, was not.
Himes described this lack of communication as indicative of a broader disdain from the current administration towards congressional oversight.
The military strikes against Iran came after a period of heightened tensions in the region. Despite President Trump’s longstanding promises to prevent U.S. involvement in another Middle Eastern conflict, the recent escalation saw the U.S. bombing Iranian nuclear facilities. In a subsequent announcement, President Trump indicated that a ceasefire had been reached between Israel and Iran, following a series of missile strikes by Iran on a U.S. base in Qatar.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, Vice President JD Vance commented on the administration’s desire to foster a “long-term settlement” between Iran and Israel. He suggested that the Iranian leadership was weary of ongoing conflict.
“What the Iranians have showed through their support of terror networks, through their now-failed effort to build a nuclear weapon, is that they’re just not very good at war,” Vance stated. He further noted that Trump aimed to reset relations in the region to achieve long-term peace.
However, President Trump expressed frustration during a White House briefing, accusing both Israel and Iran of violating the ceasefire. “You know what we have? We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing,” he remarked.
In their conversation, NPR’s Michel Martin and Himes explored the implications of the U.S. attacks on Iran and how congressional Democrats plan to enhance oversight of the executive branch during these turbulent times.
When asked about the potential next steps following the ceasefire breakdown, Himes acknowledged that the current situation remains uncertain. While this initial phase of conflict has avoided some dire outcomes typically associated with Middle Eastern wars, such as significant casualties or increased gas prices, he emphasized the need to understand the consequences of the military actions taken.
“At some point, we’ve got to ask the question of, given the immense gamble that was taken here both by Israel and by the president of the United States, without consultation of the United States Congress, what was actually achieved?” Himes questioned, expressing skepticism about claims regarding the Iranian nuclear program.
He pointed out that there has been no substantial evidence supporting the Vice President’s assertion that the nuclear capabilities of Iran were effectively dismantled.
Martin further probed Himes about who in the government is responsible for determining what had been accomplished through the military strikes and whether he trusts that findings would be shared with Congress.
Himes reassured listeners that the intelligence community, equipped with various capabilities from satellite surveillance to espionage, would help clarify the outcomes of the actions taken. He expressed optimism that they would have a clearer picture in the days and weeks to come.
Reflecting on his own frustrating experiences, Himes described the current administration’s attitude as dismissive towards required oversight from Congress. He stated that this undervaluation of congressional authority is not just problematic but contrary to American democratic principles.
Addressing the practical routes for Democrats to reclaim oversight, Himes acknowledged the challenges faced due to the Democratic Party’s minority status. The Republican majority holds significant power, including the ability to issue subpoenas, advance bills, and hold officials in contempt, yet he noted their apparent lack of interest in exercising such powers.
“The dissatisfying but honest answer to your question is that if the Democrats are able to take the majority in the coming elections, we could have better options available to assert our oversight authority,” Himes stated.
Himes then discussed a War Powers Resolution he co-introduced, which aims to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran without congressional approval. He remarked on the potential support from some Republicans who may be discontent with the current level of congressional consultation regarding military actions.
Himes expressed his hope that some Republicans would align with constitutional principles over party loyalty, but remained cautious about the likelihood of bipartisan cooperation in the current political climate.
“We’re certainly going to take a crack at it. We’re hoping against hope that some Republicans will remember their duty is to the Constitution to which they raised their right hand and took an oath, as opposed to the man that occupies the Oval Office,” he explained.
As the situation unfolds, Himes reiterated the importance of upholding the prerogatives of Congress and the foundational principles of the Constitution during this critical moment in U.S. foreign policy.
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