Former CIA Chief to Brief Dems on Iran 05/19 08:54

   House Democrats will hear from former CIA Director John Brennan about the 
situation in Iran, inviting him to speak next week amid heightened concerns 
over the Trump administration's sudden moves in the region.

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Democrats will hear from former CIA Director John 
Brennan about the situation in Iran, inviting him to speak next week amid 
heightened concerns over the Trump administration's sudden moves in the region.

   Brennan, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, is scheduled to talk 
to House Democrats at a private weekly caucus meeting Tuesday, according to a 
Democratic aide and another person familiar with the private meeting. Both were 
granted anonymity to discuss the meeting.

   The invitation to Brennan and Wendy Sherman, a former State Department 
official and top negotiator of the Iran nuclear deal, offers counterprogramming 
to the Trump administration's closed-door briefing for lawmakers also planned 
for Tuesday on Capitol Hill. Democratic lawmakers are likely to attend both 
sessions.

   The Trump administration recently sent an aircraft carrier and other 
military resources to the Persian Gulf region, and withdrew nonessential 
personnel from Iraq, raising alarm among Democrats and some Republicans on 
Capitol Hill over the possibility of a confrontation with Iran.

   Trump in recent days has downplayed any potential for conflict. But 
questions remain about what prompted the actions, and many lawmakers have 
demanded more information.

   Trump and Brennan have clashed openly, particularly over the issues 
surrounding the special counsel's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 
election. Brennan stepped down from the CIA in 2017.

   The president last year said he was revoking the former spy chief's security 
credentials after Brennan was critical of Trump's interactions with Russian 
President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Helsinki. Top national security 
officials often retain their clearance after they have left an agency as a way 
to provide counsel to their successors. It's unclear if Brennan actually lost 
his clearance.

   House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had been asking the administration for a briefing 
for all lawmakers on the situation in Iran, but she said the request was 
initially rebuffed. The administration provided a classified briefing for 
leaders of both parties last week.


(CZ)