Top Trump Officials Throw him Under the Bus at War Hearing

Summary

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The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Top Trump Officials Throw him Under the Bus at War Hearing
Date: March 19, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

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Overview

This episode breaks down a dramatic and consequential House hearing where former President Trump’s top intelligence and national security officials—including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and key advisors—distanced themselves from Trump's decisions in the escalating war with Iran. The brothers analyze the testimony, highlighting bipartisan frustration on Capitol Hill, scathing exchanges with members of Congress, and the officials' repeated efforts to shift responsibility to Trump himself—painting a picture of splintered authority and dangerous ambiguity at the heart of U.S. war policy.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Officials Distancing Themselves from Trump

• The hearing saw Trump’s former top officials (Gabbard, Ratcliffe, Cash Patel) consistently defer responsibility, emphasizing that final decisions—including the escalation to full-scale war—were Trump’s alone.

• The hosts point out repeated moments where these officials evaded direct answers and stressed their roles as mere information providers, not decision-makers.

  Quote:
  “Ultimately, Donald Trump's the one who makes those calls. He makes those decisions...What is the point of your existence in this government role if you just say, well, Donald Trump does it, Donald does it, it's a dictatorship?”
  — Podcast Host (05:16)

2. Questioning the Basis for War

• Multiple Democratic and even some Republican Congress members pressed for evidence that Iran posed an “imminent threat” prior to the war’s outbreak.

• Officials could not produce substantiating intelligence, implying the administration moved forward in the absence of direct, imminent danger.

  Memorable Exchange (06:20):

  • Congressmember Carson: “Is there any evidence that Iran intended to conduct a preemptive attack on the United States? Yes or no?”
  • Tulsi Gabbard: “The answer to this question needs to be reserved for a closed hearing...ultimately, he [Trump] is responsible for what is an imminent threat.”

3. Defining “Imminent Threat” and Who Decides

• A central theme was who determines what qualifies as an “imminent threat.” The intelligence chiefs maintained only the President has that authority, effectively absolving themselves from responsibility.

  Key Quotes:

  • Congressmember Crow: “[Did] any of them show imminence?”
    Gabbard: “The imminent nature of a threat is determined by the President based on a totality of the intelligence...” (07:49–07:52)

  • Congressmember Gomez: “So you're saying tomorrow the President...can say China is an imminent threat and then he can take his own—no matter what the intelligence says, he can take his own action?” (09:59–10:20)

4. Internal Disarray and Resignations

• A high-profile resignation (Joe Kent) from Trump’s national security circle was discussed, with frustration about a lack of independent threat assessment and claims that U.S. war decisions were heavily guided by Israel.

  Quote:
  “Joe Kent...resigned. He was working with Tulsi Gabbard. Tulsi Gabbard's whole thing was no foreign wars...So she looked like an utter fool before the United States Senate.”
  — Podcast Host (02:45)

5. Bipartisan Criticism and Congressional Pushback

• Members from both parties questioned the purpose of intelligence agencies if all key decisions were ultimately made by Trump, often in opposition to their assessments.

• Exchanges highlighted the officials’ reluctance or inability to directly challenge the President or the wisdom of his decisions.

  Notable Questions:

  • “Why even, like, why do you even advise them?” — Congressmember Gomez (09:59)
  • “The President owes it to the American people...to explain directly...what the imminent threat was.” — Congressmember Bera (15:13)

6. Assessment of Iran, Leadership Succession, and Regional Impact

• Multiple segments dug into the shifting Iranian leadership, the fatwa against nuclear weapons, the uncertainty after Israeli strikes, and the risks to global supply chains (especially oil).

  Key Exchange (10:33–12:32):
  Congressmember Crow methodically reconstructed the U.S. understanding of Iran's leadership transition and nuclear program, underlining hosts’ point that post-strike, the situation is more uncertain, not safer.

  Quote:

  • “We are less certain of the positions of Iranian leadership and their intentions than we were 60 days ago, correct?”
    Gabbard: “That's an accurate assessment.” (12:22–12:32)

7. U.S.-Israel Policy Divergence

• Detailed questioning explored whether Israeli objectives (like regime change) drove American policy, with officials again distancing U.S. motives from those of Israel.

  Quote:

  • Ratcliffe: “To be clear, the President’s objectives with respect to Operation Epic Fury did not include regime change. That may be different from what Israel's objectives were.” (21:01)

  • Gabbard: “I don't know Israel's position on that.” (18:42)

8. Economic and Strategic Fallout: Strait of Hormuz and Oil Prices

• Congress probed the anticipated and actual impact of war on trade routes, energy supplies, and global markets—confirming the administration was warned but questioning the insufficient steps taken to contain the fallout.

  Exchange:

  • Cohen: “Did the IC's assessment about Iranian capabilities in the Straits of Hormuz change in the past year?”
    Ratcliffe: “No.” (22:05)
  • Gabbard: “Their capabilities have been largely degraded, but yes, they still have means to threaten passage...” (22:15)
  • Cohen: “The intelligence that he has available to him. That's a scary thought.” (23:39)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 05:16 | “What is the point of your existence in this government role if you just say, well, Donald Trump does it, Donald does it, it's a dictatorship?” | Podcast Host | | 06:51 | “The intelligence community...provides the assessments of the threats that exist to the president so that he can make that determination...” | Tulsi Gabbard | | 07:52 | “The imminent nature of a threat is determined by the President...” | Tulsi Gabbard | | 09:59 | “So you're saying tomorrow the President...can say China is an imminent threat and then he can take his own—no matter what the intelligence says...” | Congressmember Gomez | | 12:32 | “We are less certain of the positions of Iranian leadership and their intentions than we were 60 days ago, correct?” — “That's an accurate assessment.” | Rep. Crow / Tulsi Gabbard | | 15:13 | “The President owes it to the American people to...explain...what the imminent threat was.” | Congressmember Bera | | 21:01 | “To be clear, the president’s objectives with respect to Operation Epic Fury did not include regime change. That may be different from what Israel's objectives were.” | John Ratcliffe | | 23:39 | “The intelligence that he has available to him. That's a scary thought.” | Congressmember Cohen |

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Important Segments with Timestamps

• 02:45 – Recap of officials’ initial evasiveness and Joe Kent’s resignation
• 04:37–06:51 – Gabbard’s opening statement & first evidence disputes about an “imminent threat”
• 07:32–08:34 – Crow’s persistent questioning on Iran threat timelines and Gabbard’s shifting responsibility
• 08:50–09:55 – Gomez’s scathing cross-examination and officials evading yes/no accountability
• 10:33–12:32 – Deep dive into Iranian leadership, nuclear policy, and strategic uncertainty post-strike
• 12:53–13:49 – Gotheimer’s questions on global supply chain risks, succession planning
• 15:13–15:31 – Congressman Bera calls for presidential accountability to the American people
• 18:23–19:23 – Castro presses officials on U.S./Israeli coordination and divergent objectives
• 21:01–21:19 – Ratcliffe formally distinguishes U.S. and Israeli goals re: regime change
• 22:34–23:39 – Cohen details economic consequences, Straits of Hormuz vulnerability, and officials’ answers

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Overall Tone and Takeaway

• Tone: Sharp, urgent, incredulous, with characteristic Meiselas banter and pointed humor directed at the evasiveness of Trump’s former administration.
• Verdict: The episode underscores a dangerous lack of accountability at the top—officials hiding behind bureaucratic process, repeated abdication of responsibility, and an alarming reliance on presidential “gut” over intelligence analysis. The hosts highlight the bipartisan concern, the contradiction between facts and justifications, and the ongoing risk for both U.S. credibility and global stability.

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End of Summary

Transcript

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[Podcast Host]

Wow. Donald Trump is getting thrown under the bus by his own top officials in this hearing that's taking place before the United States House of Representatives. So yesterday you had Donald Trump's top intelligence officials, Tulsi Gabber, the Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, the CIA director, and today Cash Patel is there as well. Before the House of Representatives yesterday they were kind of cagey with their responses because I think all of them all assess that Iran did not pose any imminent threat to the United States. And in their threat assessments that they gave to Donald Trump, they said Iran did not post pose any imminent threat. They looked all cagey yesterday. And all the MAGA people were going after them. Especially as you had Joe Kent, this like ultra MAGA right wing guy who was the number two to Tulsi Gabbard, he resigned. He did a Tucker Carlson appearance where he was like, iran definitely didn't impose an imminent threat to the United States. This was all directed by Israel and Donald Trump following Netanyahu's lead. This was Trump's top official as of 72 hours ago, right? As of last week. And the guy resigned. He was working with Tulsi Gabbard. Tulsi Gabbard's whole thing was no foreign wars in the Middle East. That's literally her entire message in her political life. And so she looked like an utter fool before the United States Senate. So she and John Ratcliffe and to some extent Cash Patel today, they kind of changed their tactic and they were very much distancing themselves from Donald Trump during these House hearings today. I mean, even in Tulsi Gabbard's opening statement, she goes, I'm here to provide a threat assessment. I'm not giving you my own personal views or my opinion. So she already starts off by kind of distancing herself, saying, I may not believe what, you know, what these things are here. Let's just play this clip.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

I'm here today to present the 2026 annual threat assessment. And joined by my colleagues, the directors of the CIA, the dia, FBI and nsa. This briefing is being provided in accordance with ODNI statutory responsibility. What I'm briefing here today does not represent my personal views or opinions, but rather the assessments of the intelligence community of the threats that facing the United States, our homeland and our interests. In this assessment, we're following the structure of priorities that were laid out in the President's national security strategy, starting with threats to our homeland, then shifting to global risks, then one by one, as

[Podcast Host]

Democratic Congress members and even Republican Congress members are asking Tulsi Gabbard questions, which is, so why are we listening to Israel and following them in this war? Why don't we have our own views of things? Why? Why is your assessment this and Donald Trump doing that? Isn't Iran more dangerous now than they were before? And ultimately, what Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe, the CIA Director Cash Patel, would say is, well, you know, ultimately, Donald Trump's the one who makes those calls. He makes those decisions to which at one point, you know, these Democratic Congress members like, well, what's the point of your job then? What are you doing? What is the point of your existence in this government role if you just say, well, Donald Trump does it, Donald does it, it's a dictatorship. So over here you have Congressmember Carson saying, so is there any evidence at all that Iran intended to do any preemptive attack on the United States? And then Tulsi Gabbard is like, ultimately, it is Donald Trump who is responsible. It is Donald Trump responsible. And she'll keep repeating that over again. But here, play this clip.

[Congressmember Carson]

Directors Gabbard and Radcliffe, is there any evidence that Iran intended to conduct a preemptive attack on the United States? And I ask this because 13 service members have been killed in Trump's war, including Captain Seth Koval, a husband and a dad from my state of Indiana. And my constituents want answers. So is there any evidence that Iran intended to conduct a preemptive attack on the US Prior to beginning this war? Yes or no,

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Congressman? The answer to this question needs to be reserved for a closed hearing. I will say, however, the intelligence community does provide the assessments of the threats that exist to the president so that he can make that determination within the body of information and intelligence and activities within the region that ultimately he is responsible for what is an imminent threat. And if there is an imminent threat, what actions need to be taken?

[Podcast Host]

Then you have Democratic Congressmember Crow watch this exchange with Tulsi Gabbard where she's like, the imminent nature of threats, that's not determined by me. That's determined by Donald Trump. Play this clip.

[Congressmember Crow]

Did you or the IC make any assessments as to the timing of potential threats facing the United States from Iran in the last 90 days?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

I'm sure there was timelines factored into the intelligence assessments that were delivered.

[Congressmember Crow]

Did any of them show imminence.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

The imminent nature of a threat is determined by the President based on a totality of the intelligence and information provided to him.

[Congressmember Crow]

Didn't even show that there were attacks anticipated within the next 90 days from Iran.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

It's too simplistic of a statement to say that because it depends on various scenarios occurring or not occurring.

[Congressmember Crow]

Did those assessments show timelines for the threats that Iran posed to the United States?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

The totality of threats? Yes, there were timelines involved where it applied and where that information was available. But again, to your question about the determination of imminence, the President makes that determination based on the totality of information and intelligence.

[Congressmember Crow]

The bottom line is there is no imminence provided and you know that. And there's no product that shows that I yield back.

[Podcast Host]

And this was some scathing cross examination here by Democratic Congressmember Gomez. I want you to watch this. Let's play this clip. More from Congress. Gomez, right here. Play this clip.

[Congressmember Gomez]

Last year you testified that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon. Do you stand by that statement? Yes or no?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Context matters with that statement. Iran had all of I reclaim my time. I reclaim my time to do so.

[Congressmember Gomez]

Mr. Chairman. I reclaim my time. It's an easy answer. You either stand by what you said last year or not.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

It is a serious question that requires

[Congressmember Gomez]

the Director G. I reclaim my time. I reclaim my time.

[Podcast Host]

And more from Congressmember Gomez. Play this clip.

[Congressmember Gomez]

Today you said that only the President. Only the only person who can determine what is an imminent threat is the President of the United States. Do you stand by that statement?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Yes, I do.

[Congressmember Gomez]

Director Ratcliffe, do you agree with that assessment that the President is the only person that can determine if something is an imminent threat or not?

[John Ratcliffe]

The President's Commander in Chief gets to make a decision about what's an imminent threat. The intelligence community, well, the intelligence Reclaim

[Congressmember Gomez]

my time is reclaimed my time.

[John Ratcliffe]

Intelligence community provided a body of intelligence.

[Congressmember Gomez]

The reason why the decision is that if the President can determine and ignore what you're doing, why do you guys even have a job? Why even, like, why do you even advise them? So you're saying tomorrow the President of the United States can say China is an imminent threat and then he can take his own. No matter what the intelligence says, he can take his own action. That's what you're basically.

[Podcast Host]

Let's go back to Democratic Congressmember Crow, himself an Army Ranger right here who served many combat tours of duty. Who knows what war is actually like firsthand? Watch this. Play this clip.

[Congressmember Crow]

Director Gabbard it is your job and the job of your agency and department to assess the views of Iranian leadership, their policy beliefs and policy positions, correct?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Yes.

[Congressmember Crow]

That includes now deceased Ali Khamenei of Iran, correct?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Yes.

[Congressmember Crow]

And is not in the NOW leader. His son, Mujtaba Khamenei, correct?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Yes.

[Congressmember Crow]

The son is considered more of a hardliner than his father, isn't that correct?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Yes.

[Congressmember Crow]

So hardline that even some of Iran's leaders thought he was too aggressive, isn't that correct?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

That is the intelligence community assessment, yes.

[Congressmember Crow]

Mujtaba, the sun is particularly close to the brutal Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and their most hardline commanders, correct?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

That is the intelligence community assessment.

[Congressmember Crow]

He was involved in ordering violent crackdowns on Iranian protesters, including their murder, correct?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Yes.

[Congressmember Crow]

And we don't know if the son will continue his father's religious ban on developing nuclear weapons, is that correct?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

It is unknown at this time.

[Congressmember Crow]

You testified before this committee last year that the elder, now deceased Khamenei had in 2003, banned the nuclear weapons program or suspended it. Correct.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

There was a fatwa in place that stated that.

[Congressmember Crow]

And that fatwa remained in place last year when you testified before this committee, correct?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Yes.

[Congressmember Crow]

And that fatwa remained in place recently? Correct.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

As far as I know, it has not been lifted.

[Congressmember Crow]

Yeah. You're aware of no information that would lift that fatwa?

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[Tulsi Gabbard]

I'm not aware of any intelligence reporting that states that. To be clear, on Mojtaba, the son who has been named to replace him, it is unclear of his status or his involvement. He was injured very severely through one of the Israeli strikes. And so the decision making is unclear about what's happening in the Iranian leadership?

[Congressmember Crow]

It's unclear. So we're less certain of the positions of Iranian leadership and their intentions than we were 60 days ago? Correct.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

That's an accurate assessment.

[Podcast Host]

Then you had Congressmember Gotheimer over here saying that's why this hearing was relatively bipartisan as well, saying, what are we doing in Iran? Congressmember Gotheimer said, so did the IC brief the president on the impacts to the global supply chain? And she's like, yeah, we told him. We told him. Here, play this clip.

[Congressmember Gotheimer]

American people. Director, were you in a meeting to discuss a possible strike on Iran?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Congressman? There were several meetings that were held in advance. I'm sure I was in at least some of them.

[Congressmember Gotheimer]

Did the intelligence community brief the president on the potential impacts a conflict could have on global supply chains and on oil and gas prices prior to the outbreak of hostilities?

[Podcast Host]

Were you In a meeting.

[Congressmember Gotheimer]

Were you in any meetings where that came up?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Yes.

[Kelly Clarkson]

That.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

That. That is the Intelligence Community's assessments, and those were provided.

[Congressmember Gotheimer]

Director. Did the ic. Director Radcliffe, if I can ask this to you. Did the IC brief the President who would succeed the Supreme Leader if he was killed, and the likelihood that our placement would be a hardliner?

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Was the President.

[John Ratcliffe]

Say it again.

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Was the President.

[Congressmember Gotheimer]

Did the IC brief the President who would succeed the Supreme Leader if he was killed, and the likelihood that our placement would be a hardliner or could be a hardliner.

[John Ratcliffe]

So, to be clear, the President's objectives with respect to Operation Epic Fury did not include regime change. That may be different from what Israel's objectives were. But you can. But, yes, the President was briefed in the event that Supreme Leader.

[Congressmember Gotheimer]

That's great. Thank you so much. I'm sorry to cut you off. I just have 20 seconds. Director Patel does a ran.

[Podcast Host]

How about Congressmember Bera here play this clip. Did you.

[Congressmember Bera]

There is no imminent threat of nuclear breakout. Did you deliver that assessment to the President?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

I have delivered the intelligence community's assessments to the President.

[Congressmember Bera]

There was no imminent nuclear threat to the United States. There was no evidence of imminence that Iran was going to attack American assets that was different from anything they've done over four decades that was going to attack our homeland. There was no imminent threat. Imminent is defined in the dictionary as something that is about to happen. Not something that's been happening for four decades. Not something that is going to happen three months from now. Not something that's going to happen a year from now. Imminent said this is about to happen. Did you deliver that assessment to the President?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

I delivered the intelligence community's objective analysis of the threats, the severity of those threats and the scope, along with assessments of the different scenarios and contexts that exist within the Middle East.

[Congressmember Bera]

The President owes it to the American people to go on television to explain to the American people, to the service members who have died in action serving our country, why we are at war with Iran. He needs to go on television and explain that directly to the American people what the imminent threat was.

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[Podcast Host]

Elise Stefanik was getting in on the action. Congresswoman Stefanik, let's play it Assessments.

[Congresswoman Elise Stefanik]

Thank you. I also wanted to ask this because this week there was a high profile resignation of Director of National Counterterrorism Center. Now I want to be clear from the outset, I've communicated directly with President Trump my support for Operation Epic Fury. And I was very, not only disappointed, but how inappropriate this letter was. And I want to read a statement that and get your personal assessment whether you agree or disagree with that. And that's this. Early in this administration, high ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America first platform and pro war sentiments to encourage war with Iran. This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States and that you should strike now. There was a clear path to a swift victory. This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into a disastrous Iraq war. Now, I cannot say how much I disagree with that statement. Do you agree or disagree with what? This letter was put out by former Director Kent.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

He said a lot of things in that letter. Ultimately, we have provided the President with the intelligence assessments and the President is elected by the American people and makes his own decisions based on the information that's available to him.

[Congresswoman Elise Stefanik]

But do you agree with, does that statement he made blaming Israel concern you?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

More over here. An exchange between Democratic Congressmember Castro and Tulsi Gabbard. Let's play it.

[Congressmember Castro]

So the death and destruction continues. The economic cost the United States to Israel to the Gulf states and to the world continues to increase. So I want to ask you, to the best of your knowledge, do you know whether Israel is supportive of the President's call to make a deal with Iran?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

I don't know the answer to that. I don't know Israel's position on that.

[Congressmember Castro]

And to what do you attribute Israel's decision to strike Iranian energy infrastructure despite President Trump's call to keep those facilities off limits?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

I don't have an answer for that.

[Congressmember Castro]

So they ignored the president. Do you agree with that?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

I'm not privy to any of their deliberations or what went into their calculus and launching this or other attacks. I'm not.

[Jerry Insurance Advertiser]

We.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

We are. We are not involved with the. In the operational element of this. We're providing continuously, on a daily basis, the intelligence assessments of the events that are occurring.

[Congressmember Castro]

And I guess I know the FBI can't because they're domestic, but can anybody else at the table provide any insight into that?

[John Ratcliffe]

I guess I'm not sure what the question you're asking, Congressman Castro. I guess a couple of things. The goals that the President set out are clearly defined. The DNI related those. What was not included is a goal of the U.S. well, Director, let me

[Congressmember Castro]

start with the painless question. You asked what my question is, which. Let me. Let me reclaim my time, Director. Come on. Do you know why Israel decided to strike that infrastructure despite the fact that the President said it should be off limits?

[John Ratcliffe]

I wouldn't. I wouldn't speak for Israel.

[Congressmember Castro]

And what do you guys know?

[Podcast Host]

We're at war.

[Congressmember Castro]

What do you guys know? Let's take that for the record. Yes, let's take it for the record.

[Congressmember Gotheimer]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[Podcast Host]

And here, when John Ratcliffe said to be clear the president's objectives for Operation Epic Fury did not include regime change. That was just Israel. Here, play this clip right here.

[Congressmember Gotheimer]

This to you. Did the IC brief the president, who would succeed the Supreme Leader if he was killed, and the likelihood that her placement would be a hardliner?

[Rocket Money Advertiser]

Was the President.

[John Ratcliffe]

Say it again.

[Rocket Money Advertiser]

Was the President.

[Congressmember Gotheimer]

Did the IC brief the President who would succeed the Supreme Leader if he was killed, and the likelihood that her placement would be a hardliner or could be a hardliner.

[John Ratcliffe]

So, to be clear, the president's objectives with respect to Operation Epic Fury did not include regime change. That may be different from what Israel's objectives were. But you can. But, yes, the president was briefed in the event that Supreme Leader.

[Congressmember Gotheimer]

That's great. Thank you so much. I'm sorry to cut you off. I just have 20 seconds.

[Podcast Host]

Director, and finally, take a look at Congressmember Cohen. His cross exam with Gabbard. Let's play it.

[Congressmember Cohen]

Director Gabbard, are you familiar with CI12?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

I'm not, Congressman.

[Congressmember Cohen]

Okay, let me ask you this question.

[Congressmember Cohen (continued)]

In the intelligence community's unclassified annual threat assessment from last year, it said Iran's large conventional forces are capable of inflicting substantial damage to an attacker, executing regional strikes, and disrupting shipping, particularly energy supplies, to the Strait of Hormuz. It seems the IC was entirely correct in its assessment about Iranian retaliation in the strait. Did the IC's assessment about Iranian capabilities in the Straits of Hormuz change in the past year?

[John Ratcliffe]

No.

[Congressmember Cohen (continued)]

Congressman, does Iran still have the capability to threaten shipping in the Straits of Harmon Hormuz with missiles, mines and small boats?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Their capabilities have been largely degraded, but yes, they still have means to threaten passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

[Congressmember Cohen (continued)]

And how long can they keep the Strait closed?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

Based on current events, I'd have to get an updated assessment from the intelligence community on that.

[Congressmember Cohen (continued)]

Did you have an analysis of the impact of a war on global supply chains and the price of oil and gas?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

I believe that assessment may have come from the Department of Treasury or Energy.

[Congressmember Cohen]

Who didn't come through your office.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

It came from their element within Department of Energy or Energy.

[Congressmember Cohen]

Do you know if the President was briefed on those assessments?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

I believe so, but I can't confirm.

[Congressmember Cohen]

So if he was briefed in those assessments, that that was a problem and the Straits of Hormuz could be shut off, and that's causing a great problem in the world's economy. With oil prices going up to under $120 or something, a barrel, and an effect on all countries economies, why would the President not have taken actions to strengthen defense around the Strait of Hormuz?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

All I can say is that the President ultimately is responsible for making the decisions based on the totality of information and intelligence that he has available to him.

[Congressmember Cohen]

The intelligence that he has available to him. That's a scary thought.

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