Republican leaders reject demands for public hearings on Trump's war with Iran

Source: NBC News

March 18, 2026, 9:47 AM EDT


WASHINGTON — As the Iran war stretches into its third week, Democrats say they’re done with all of the classified briefings from top administration officials. They now want public hearings into whether President Donald Trump plans to put U.S. boots on the ground in Iran, secure nuclear material there and how he plans to end the deadly conflict in the Middle East.

Few Republicans agree such hearings are needed. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., went even further, suggesting that public hearings would compromise the operation in Iran.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. who has led unsuccessful efforts to pass war powers resolutions to rein in Trump’s military operations, said that Trump "hasn't given a rationale that’s convincing for this. ... We have now said we’re tired of the classified briefings. We’re tired of hiding this from the public."

“When you keep something in secret, there’s a reason you keep it in secret because you don’t believe it will stand analysis in the light of day,” he said.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republican-leaders-reject-demands-public-hearings-trumps-war-iran-rcna263956