House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca.) on Tuesday night was told that Vice President Mike Pence was calling, but she dodged his call and said she would “call him back.” Pence was calling Pelosi to inform her of the Iranian missile attack against two US bases in Iraq.
Politico reporter Heather Caygle tweeted: “In meeting tonight Speaker Pelosi was handed a note telling her VP Pence was on the phone. ‘Tell him I’ll call him back,’ she said according to sources in room, noting she had to go open the House for new session. Two minutes later, she was handed note about air base bombing.”
In meeting tonight Speaker Pelosi was handed a note telling her VP Pence was on the phone.
“Tell him I’ll call him back,” she said according to sources in room, noting she had to go open the House for new session.
Two minutes later, she was handed note about air base bombing.
— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope)
Pelosi later tweeted: “Closely monitoring the situation following bombings targeting U.S. troops in Iraq. We must ensure the safety of our service members, including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its violence. America & world cannot afford war.”
Pence’s press secretary Katie Waldman tweeted early Wednesday morning: “Vice President Pence was briefed on Iran’s attacks on bases hosting US military and coalition forces in Iraq. The VP has been in continuous contact with the entire national security team and, at the President’s direction, VP Pence completed calls to Congressional leadership.”
A Pelosi spokesman confirmed that the Speaker called the VP back later in the evening, at which point he briefed her on the attack.
President Donald Trump, for his part, tweeted at 4:45 AM Wednesday, DC time: “All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.”
There were no reports of any injuries or damage as a result of the Iranian missiles attack. House Armed Services Committee member Michael Waltz (R-Fl) told reporters: “What I’m watching for as these missiles fall as we speak are, are they hitting infrastructure or are they specifically trying to target Americans and kill Americans,” Waltz said. “If they’re hitting infrastructure, that could be a signal that while they had to respond they did so in a way that would lead to future de-escalation. But Trump has [said] if you kill Americans like Iran has done since 1979, there will be serious consequences and he’ll hold Iran responsible, not the proxies.”