DEMS/IRAN/MILITARY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Democratic senators blasted President Donald Trump for escalating tensions with Iran late Thursday [6-20-19] after The New York Times reported Trump had authorized then backtracked on targeted strikes on the Islamic Republic. The president authorized the strikes against Iran after an unmanned American drone was shot down off the Iranian coast, with U.S. forces in place to carry out the strikes Thursday evening until the administration ‘abruptly’ called them off, the Times reported, citing senior administration officials. The Washington Post and the Associated Press confirmed that Trump had ordered the strikes and then called them off, citing unnamed officials. It remains unclear if the strikes, which the AP reported were recommended by the Pentagon and included radars and missile batteries, will eventually be carried out. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who is running for president in 2020, linked to the Times story in a tweet and criticized Trump for withdrawing the United States from the Iran nuclear deal struck by former President Barack Obama.”
–Matthew Choi, “Democrats slam Trump on report he ordered Iran strikes,” Politico, June 21, 2019 12:34 am