Congressional Hearing on U.S. Policy Toward Iran and Iraq

• •The hearing took place on February 28, 2020, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
• •The primary subject was the Trump administration's policy on Iran, Iraq, and the use of military force.
• •Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared as the sole witness.
• •Chairman Eliot Engel criticized the administration's policy, citing increased regional instability and attacks on U.S. servicemembers following the strike on Soleimani.
• •Ranking Member Michael McCaul defended the strike on Soleimani as a necessary action to protect American lives and within the President's Article II authorities.
• •The committee noted a pending subpoena issued to the Secretary of State in September 2019 that remained unfulfilled.
• •Members were granted 5 days to submit additional statements and questions for the record.
• •The hearing included an appendix with a letter regarding constitutional democracy in Iran.

The hearing serves as a formal oversight record of the executive branch's use of military force, documenting the administration's justification for the strike against Qasem Soleimani and the subsequent legislative debate over presidential war powers.

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.