The Hill: House Democrat: Trump administration not providing ‘satisfactory answers’ on Iran

Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) ripped the Trump administration on Thursday for not providing “satisfactory answers” on its ongoing military operation against Iran, as attacks continue across the region and President Trump claims progress in negotiations.

Crow criticized the information presented to lawmakers during a House Armed Services Committee briefing this week as vague, echoing bipartisan frustration that U.S. defense officials have not clearly outlined their plans or strategy for exiting the conflict.

“They rolled in and read off of a script and didn’t tell us the basic answers to questions that we had about how we’re going to protect our troops, what is the mission, or what is happening over there,” Crow said on NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.”

“It is not just insulting. It’s dangerous,” he told host Elizabeth Vargas.

There has been growing concern on Capitol Hill and across the country about the possibility of American ground troops being deployed into the nearly monthlong conflict, stemming from a sizeable military buildup in the Middle East and a $200 billion supplemental funding request from the Pentagon.

Republican Reps. Lauren Bobert (Colo.) and Nancy Mace (S.C.) have already voiced opposition to backing additional funding for the war effort.

The skepticism comes as thousands of additional Marines, sailors and elite paratroopers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division are reportedly being deployed to join the 50,000 U.S. service members already in the region.

“Sending our servicemembers into harm’s way is one of the most solemn decisions a President or Congress can make. But President Trump started a war of choice with Iran that is now escalating into another cycle of conflict,” said Crow, who led an 82nd Airborne platoon in Iraq, in a statement on Tuesday.

Despite assurances that he does not intend to put U.S. troops on the ground, Trump has offered conflicting messages about the war effort, including how long it could last and how close the U.S. is to achieving its stated objectives.  

Crow said the explanations to those questions during briefings have varied from “we’ve already won, we just haven’t won enough” to “we’ll tell you when we know.”

He also said there has been some discussion about a possible return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an agreement negotiated during former President Obama’s administration for Iran to dismantle its nuclear program.

“None of those are satisfactory answers,” Crow said.

Iran has denied its involvement in diplomatic talks with the U.S., but both sides have issued a set of demands for a ceasefire.