# Fear of Congressional D's leaking Baghdadi raid, realistic? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 27, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555 "2019-10-27T19:09:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/1 "2019-10-27T19:09:31Z")
CNN article: Trump refused to inform Congressional Democrats such as Pelosi or Schumer about the al-Baghdadi raid before it happened, due to fear that the D’s would leak it to the media beforehand and get the raid aborted. > **[Trump leaves key Democrats in the dark about Baghdadi raid | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/27/politics/key-democrats-unaware-of-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-raid/index.html)** > > President Donald Trump admitted on Sunday the White House did not inform some key Democrats about the daring raid that resulted in the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Now, is this really a realistic fear? If the idea is that loose lips sink ships, (carelessness), that’s one thing, but Trump seemed concerned the D’s would **intentionally** get the raid scuttled. Maybe he is trying to jab the D’s out of spite, but would Congressional Ds have really wilfully leaked it? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/2 "2019-10-27T19:30:26Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > … > Now, is this really a realistic fear? … Seriously? No, it’s not. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/3 "2019-10-27T19:32:25Z")
I think that the ‘Gang of Eight’, including the Democrats, have quite a bit of experience keeping foreknowledge of military operations confidential. So, no - I don’t think it was a legitimate concern. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/4 "2019-10-27T19:39:15Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > I think that the ‘Gang of Eight’, including the Democrats, have quite a bit of experience keeping foreknowledge of military operations confidential. > > So, no - I don’t think it was a legitimate concern. The Gang of Eight successfully covered up Russian efforts to elect Trump when they were informed of them in the summer of 2016, so I’d say they know how to keep a secret. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/5 "2019-10-27T19:40:57Z")
Coming from Trump, that’s rich. The man who gives away classified information to the Russians – while in the Oval Office, no less. What offensive questions you have posed, OP. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/6 "2019-10-27T19:41:07Z")
I think it’s more likely Trumpian projection: he assumes people will do what he would do in that situation. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/7 "2019-10-27T19:49:53Z")
He told Putin before he told Pelosi. So… ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/8 "2019-10-27T19:53:08Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > He told Putin before he told Pelosi. So… The reason probably being to deconflict in advance in case Russian forces detected the Americans. Still a terrible decision though. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/9 "2019-10-27T20:00:53Z")
No, it’s not realistic. But it IS petty and self-aggrandizing and that fits right into the president’s wheelhouse. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/10 "2019-10-27T20:13:23Z")
Yes, liberals are secretly ISIS sympathizers who actually hate America and our freedoms. Does that help you out OP? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/11 "2019-10-27T20:29:28Z")
The article notes that Mitch McConnell ® would not comment on whether he was briefed beforehand or not. We can take that however we like to interpret. It’s worth noting that Boehner, House Republican leader, was briefed on the bin Laden raid before it happened, in 2011. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/12 "2019-10-27T20:34:30Z")
Did Trump state that Mitch was prone to leaking? No, he didn’t. Didyou yourself ask if Mitch might leak the intel? No, you didn’t. Did you just ask if it was reasonable to wonder if the Democrats would? Fuck yeah you did. _checks forum_ Nevernind. ---
**Author:** ![Justy5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7cd45c/32.png) [@Justy5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justy5)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/13 "2019-10-27T22:42:07Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > Yes, liberals are secretly ISIS sympathizers who actually hate America and our freedoms. > > Does that help you out OP? Not true! And very mean. I’m a liberal. I can’t stand this country at times but I don’t support any terrorists from overseas or our terrorists here in America. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/14 "2019-10-27T22:58:19Z")
> [@Justy5](#): > > Not true! And very mean. I’m a liberal. I can’t stand this country at times but I don’t support any terrorists from overseas or our terrorists here in America. Chignon doesn’t believe this either. He just wanted to make sure the OP had all their Fox News Official Talking Points covered. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/15 "2019-10-27T23:00:23Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The reason probably being to deconflict in advance in case Russian forces detected the Americans. Agreed, and this boils down to: Trump told Putin in order to deconflict the airspace to avoid a regrettable mishap; and Trump didn’t tell Pelosi because fuck you that’s why. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/16 "2019-10-27T23:11:20Z")
Trump didn’t tell them solely \*\*_so that he could say that he didn’t, \*\* afterwards_. It’s that simple. Everything–EVERYTHING–Trump does is theatrics, because his ONLY concern is his image, which is his tool for scamming. He was a fake business person, putting on an act, and he’s a fake president, putting on an act. Once you recognize this, you don’t have to waste much time debating or discussing him. Period. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/17 "2019-10-27T23:14:02Z")
I also want to question the need to brief anyone in Congress on an upcoming military raid anyway. The Congressional D’s and R’s hold no veto power over such a raid. There is nothing they could say or do that would \*\*\*help \*\*\*the military operation. The only thing they could possibly do is harm it by leaking it, intentionally or unintentionally. Sure, they could provide advice or input, but that’s what the military and intelligence community is there for. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/18 "2019-10-27T23:24:07Z")
_produces quill_ Concern noted. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/19 "2019-10-27T23:26:50Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I also want to question the need to brief anyone in Congress on an upcoming military raid anyway. The Congressional D’s and R’s hold no veto power over such a raid. There is nothing they could say or do that would \*\*\*help \*\*\*the military operation. The only thing they could possibly do is harm it by leaking it, intentionally or unintentionally. Sure, they could provide advice or input, but that’s what the military and intelligence community is there for. They aren’t briefed to give advice. They’re briefed because you don’t want the small group of congressional leaders who exercise the greatest power over defense issues aren’t treated like untrustworthy gadflies, as they will surely not forget it. Which is exactly how Trump has treated them. Someone like Lindsey Graham has no business being briefed, that’s for sure. In other news, Trump may have staged a photo of him “overseeing” the raid. > **[Obama WH Photographer Suggests Trump's Situation Room Picture Staged](https://www.newsweek.com/obama-photographer-baghdadi-raid-trump-situation-room-suggested-staged-timestamp-golfing-1468012)** > > The chief official White House photographer for former Presidents Reagan and Obama suggested the Trump administration was posing for Saturday's stern-faced Situation Room picture. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555/20 "2019-10-28T09:30:29Z")
Does anybody take Trump’s word on anything at this point? What is this; fiftieth time burnt, not yet shy? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fear-of-congressional-ds-leaking-baghdadi-raid-realistic/842555.md?page=2)