Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi death: Trump defends not informing Congress of raid


President Trump referred to as senior House Democrat Adam Schiff the "biggest leaker in Washington".

Mr Schiff heads the House Intelligence Committee, one among 3 panels leading an impeachment probe towards Mr Trump.

The president also cautioned he might release some footage of the raid.

Fugitive IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed himself for the duration of a US military operation in north-west Syria, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday.

Mr Trump stated Baghdad detonated his suicide vest after fleeing right into a tunnel, chased with the aid of US army dogs.


What did Trump say on Monday?
Mr Trump referred to as Mr Schiff a "corrupt flesh presser" at the same time as answering questions from reporters on his way to Chicago, wherein he is because of attend a conference of police chiefs.

Who became Baghdadi?

The which means of Baghdadi's death for IS in Syria
"They had been speakme approximately why did not I give the facts to Adam Schiff and his committee and the answer is I assume Adam Schiff is the most important leaker in Washington," Mr Trump said.


He brought: "We all realize that. I've watched Adam Schiff leak. He's a leaker like no one's ever seen before."

Mr Trump did not offer precise proof in opposition to the Democratic chairman, and additionally criticised the Democratic-led impeachment complaints.

When asked whether he might launch the footage of the raid - which he has likened to watching a "film" - the president stated: "We might also take certain parts of it and launch it, yes."

Earlier, Mr Trump had stated he spoke with Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Burr over the weekend, however decided now not to notify congressional leaders ahead of the raid because "Washington leaks like I've in no way visible earlier than".

"I informed my people we can no longer notify them until our outstanding people are out. Not just in, however out," he said at some stage in a news conference saying the raid on Sunday.

What's the row about?

The Republican president's choice to not notify congressional leaders about the raid has been arguable.

Typically, the White House informs select lawmakers - known as the Gang of Eight - approximately classified intelligence matters.

The "gang" includes the House speaker, minority and majority leaders of both the House and Senate, in addition to the chairs and rating members of both chambers' intelligence committees.

When Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden changed into killed in 2011, the then-House intelligence chair, Republican Mike Rogers, stated the Obama management had saved him apprised of the situation.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday issued a assertion saying the White House wished to tell Congress as US allies "deserve strong, clever and strategic leadership from Washington".

She additionally accused Mr. Trump of informing the Russians before US lawmakers about the raid. The president has said Russia changed into only knowledgeable that the United States army become to fly over Russian-controlled areas.

Baghdadi died from detonating a suicide vest after fleeing right into a tunnel whilst being chased through US military puppies, President Trump announced on Sunday.

Who became Baghdadi?
What does his dying mean for IS?
The Pentagon says no US employees had been killed in the raid but one of the puppies pursuing Baghdadi changed into severely injured. Gen Milley said the dog's name became categorized.

In reaction to a query about Mr Trump's contention that Baghdadi had whimpered and cried earlier than his death, Gen Milley said he changed into no longer aware where the statistics got here from however brought: "I assume it turned into [from] speakme immediately to unit participants."

Gen Milley additionally stated that US troops might maintain to defend oilfields from IS militants, although "at the stop of the day, we will be sending troops domestic".

Mr Trump has said the US have to be capable of take some of the oil, however critics say doing so might violate the Geneva Convention's laws towards pillaging herbal assets.