by Chuck Ross
President Donald Trump said Sunday morning that he did not notify members of Congress ahead of the raid on Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi out of fear of leaks that could put special forces in danger.
The president told members of his administration to keep the raid secret and not notify Congress that special forces killed Baghdadi on Saturday night in northern Syria. Trump said he was in the process of notifying lawmakers about the details surrounding the ISIS leader’s death.
“We notified some. Others are being notified now as I speak,” Trump said at the White House of Baghdadi’s death. “We were going to notify them last night, but we decided not to do that because Washington leaks like I’ve never seen before.”
He added: “I told my people we will not notify them until my great people are out … There were no leaks.”
Trump went on to say that “a leak could have caused the death of all of them [special forces who conducted the raid].”
Trump said he watched much of the “daring nighttime raid,” conducted by U.S. Special Operations forces, and noted that no American operators were killed, even though several of Baghdadi’s men died in the attack.
Baghdadi has been in hiding out near the border of Turkey for roughly five years, with his last appearance coming in April when he was seen in an ISIS propaganda video. Another video from 2014 appeared to show the Baghdadi speaking in Iraq.
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Chuck Ross is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.
You never tell the enemy your plans and the Demoncrats are our enemy right now for sure.
A one of those special forces men he’s more valuable to our country then all of the Democrats in Congress..
I am Thankful Our Great Men and Women of Special Forces were able to do their job without loss of lives.
I agree with Our Great President for the decisions that he made and makes everyday. If he fears that by telling Those in office that they will leak out information on Secret Missions and put our Troop in harm’s way, then so be it! I pray for out President and his Family everyday!
Great Job Mr. PRESIDENT, My President!
President Trump was right in keeping the raid a secret from Congress in doing so our special forces were able to achieve their goal without losing one member of the team .
God bless the brave men and or women who pulled this off and big THANK YOU to President Trump our fearless leader.
He was wise to not inform the Democrats.
It is sad to say, but I wouldn’t doubt the Democrats would have sacrificed all the brave men who participated in the raid if they thought the results might score political points against Trump.
Can you blame him?