In a critical moment for U.S. foreign and domestic policy, Trump administration officials will today (June 26, 2025) hold their first classified briefing for senators on the recent U.S. military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities. The move comes as Congress ramps up scrutiny of the President’s unilateral actions and prepares to vote on legislation limiting future military actions against Iran.

Originally scheduled for June 24, the briefing was postponed amidst rising bipartisan criticism over the administration’s lack of transparency and failure to consult Congress before launching the strikes.

Who Will Brief the Senate?

The closed-door Senate session will feature:

• CIA Director John Ratcliffe

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who was initially scheduled to appear, will not attend, per sources familiar with the planning.

House members are expected to receive a similar classified briefing on Friday (June 27).

War Powers Clash: Senate to Vote on Resolution

The classified session also comes ahead of a vote on a resolution led by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) that would require Congressional approval for any future military action against Iran. The resolution, inspired by the War Powers Act, aims to reassert Congress’s constitutional authority to authorize war.

Despite the resolution’s uncertain fate—Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority, and 60 votes are needed—Kaine emphasized the symbolic value of the vote:

“The American public has the right to see this debate and decide if the mission is worth risking lives for,” he said.

Bipartisan Pushback Over Lack of Consultation

Democratic leaders and some Republicans have voiced concern over Trump’s bypassing of Congress. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the delays in briefing “outrageous” and demanded full transparency.

“The administration has a legal obligation to inform Congress precisely about what is happening,” Schumer said on Tuesday.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a frequent Trump ally, also pushed back, saying:

“I think the speaker needs to review the Constitution. Our Founding Fathers did not want presidents to unilaterally go to war.”

Conflicting Intelligence Raises Questions About Strike Success

The strikes’ effectiveness is at the heart of the political and strategic debate. A preliminary U.S. intelligence report, leaked earlier this week, suggests that Iran’s nuclear program was only set back by a few months, contradicting public statements from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed complete destruction of the facilities.

The classified report, cited by two anonymous sources, indicates that Iran could rebuild its facilities within months, raising fresh questions about the long-term strategic value of the strikes.

Trump Allies Push Back, Cite ‘New Intelligence’

In response, both CIA Director Ratcliffe and DNI Tulsi Gabbard issued public statements backing Trump’s position.

• Gabbard posted:

“New intelligence confirms what @POTUS has stated numerous times: Iran's nuclear facilities have been destroyed… Rebuilding could take years.”

• Ratcliffe added:

“Iran's nuclear programme has been severely damaged, and rebuilding would require years, not months. Our source has historically been reliable.”

Trump’s Legal Rationale Under Fire

Though Trump did not seek prior approval from Congress, he did send a brief letter to congressional leaders on Monday (June 23), stating the strikes were launched:

“To advance vital United States national interests, and in collective self-defense of our ally, Israel, by eliminating Iran’s nuclear programme.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump’s authority, challenging the War Powers Act’s constitutionality and saying:

“The military reports to the president. The commander in chief is the president.”

Political Fallout and What’s Next

The classified briefing is likely to deepen the divide within the Republican party between Trump loyalists and constitutional conservatives. It may also serve as a litmus test for whether Congress will reassert its role in authorizing military action.

As the briefing unfolds and the Senate vote nears, key questions remain:

• Was Trump’s decision legally justified and strategically sound?

• Will Congress move to rein in the White House on military matters?

• Will new intelligence silence or amplify bipartisan doubts?

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