Chris Murphy

Trump's Iran War is a national humiliation. It's making us less safe and driving up prices on everything. That's why Hegseth denied me access to bases and military leaders while I was in the Middle East. He wasn't concerned with my safety. He was hiding the truth. https://t.co/kBMcIZv9iw

While I was barred from visiting out troops in the Middle East, I did get to see our diplomats. No matter whether or not you support the war, our troops and diplomats in the region are under fire and serving so bravely. Donald Trump won't protect them, but we should thank them. https://t.co/Pbh4dZtnAS

Like my friend @RoKhanna says here, Congress has a constitutional right to assess the damage of the Iran War. Denying a Member of Congress even a briefing with military officials is a full blown cover up. https://t.co/2EhYJDWaNC

The Department of Defense is engaged in a cover up to hide the costs and failures of the Iran War. That’s why they refused to let me too our air base in Qatar. That’s why they’ve released incomplete casualty data. https://t.co/kdyxyLNp8V

"[Murphy's trip to the Middle East] is providing much needed service to the American public that no one is providing right now." https://t.co/rGTjL4rnu6

At least they’re honest that “socialism” means nothing and everything.

I’m on @CNN in a few minutes and then on @allinwithchris on @MSNOWNews at 8:40 to talk about Trump’s refusal to allow members of Congress to see war damage.

RIYAHD, SAUDI ARABIA—As he finishes his CODEL to the Middle East, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement on the three-year anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel: “Three years ago, Hamas terrorists unleashed terror on Israeli civilians, killing over a thousand innocent people and taking hundreds of others hostage. No amount of time will fully heal the grief of this unconscionable attack. My heart remains with the families who remember loved ones lost, as well as every Jewish person across the world feeling the immense pain of today’s solemn anniversary.”

The reason given is that it’s too hard to have Members of Congress visit active war theaters. But Trump says the war is over. And we all frequently toured war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. During periods of heavy combat. Because that’s our job. This is just a cover up.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – As Saudi Arabia is under heightened security risk amid the Iran War, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) issued the following statements after departing Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East, where he also visited Doha, Qatar. In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) under Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership denied Murphy access to the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, despite decades of precedent for DOD supporting CODELs to American military bases under active threat to uphold Congress’s oversight duties. Prior to his CODEL, Murphy requested access to the base via a letter and direct appeal to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) leadership to no avail. While DOD denied him access to U.S. military facilities, the U.S. Department of State supported Murphy’s trip to the region. “This is one of our biggest and most important facilities in the Gulf region. I’ve been to the Middle East at least a dozen times as a Member of Congress, and I’ve never been denied access to military facilities. This is part of a coordinated, deliberate campaign by the Department of Defense to hide the consequences and the true costs of the Iran war,” said Murphy of the denial. Murphy also met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia. “I’ve been a vocal critic of Saudi Arabia and the Crown Prince. But, I think it’s important to be here to disagree and be honest and candid about those disagreements. It’s important to recognize there are things we need to work on together: ending the war in Iran and a pathway to Palestinian statehood. We had an honest, provocative conversation, particularly about the Gulf countries’ decisions to invest in the Trump family. It’s important for the Crown Prince to hear not just from the Trump Administration, but from people who want a different path,” said Murphy of the meeting. Additionally, Murphy met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud; toured the damage done to the U.S. embassy in Riyadh; engaged with economic and cultural leaders; and talked with University of New Haven students at the first American university campus in Saudi Arabia, among other things. In Qatar, Murphy met with His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Additionally, Murphy met with Ali Al Thawadi, Qatari Minister for Strategic Affairs and a key diplomat who coordinates U.S.-Iran shuttle diplomacy; Qatari royal and Qatar Foundation Vice Chair Sheikha Hind Al Thani in Education City to discuss the presence of American universities in Qatar; and Qatar Energy CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, among others. Sen. Murphy is the first Democratic Senator to visit the Gulf since the start of the Iran War.

This level of naked, open corruption is unprecedented in our history.

I did not. I informed DoD of my trip verbally and in writing. Days before I left, I spoke to CENTCOM Commander Cooper in person and asked for a briefing while I was in theater. He believed my request was reasonable. But it was not approved. Because the point is the cover up.

Three years ago, Hamas terrorists unleashed terror on Israeli civilians, killing over a thousand innocent people and taking hundreds of others hostage. No amount of time will fully heal the grief of this unconscionable attack. My heart remains with the families who remember loved ones lost, as well as every Jewish person across the world feeling the immense pain of today’s solemn anniversary.

FYI the State Department IS supporting trips to the region. Credit to Sec. Rubio for not following in Hegseth’s footsteps and honoring congressional oversight.

To finish my trip to the Gulf, I had a long, honest dinner with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. We discussed areas of agreement and disagreement, like the Iran War, Yemen, Sudan, Lebanon and Ukraine. https://t.co/pQhbE8bP8I

The University of New Haven recently opened the first American university campus in Saudi Arabia. I visited today and talked to students and school leaders about their vision for American education in Saudi Arabia. https://t.co/AF0LCqPo1L

“Murphy is providing a much needed service to the American public…he is on the ground, exposing the lies, challenging the leaders, and sharing his work directly with the rest of us.” https://t.co/xaifUc5D2Y

Something unprecedented happened during my visit to the Gulf. For the first time in 20 years in Congress, I was denied entry to U.S. military facilities and even meetings with military leaders. An order from Hegseth - that applies to both parties - to hide the cost of the war. https://t.co/6TRJbAve6c

How do I know Hegseth’s order to deny access to bases to members of Congress is about a cover up, not about safety? Because I asked for a military briefing at the embassy as a substitute and was told the policy prohibited military leaders in the region from even talking to me.

Both nights I have been in Riyadh there have been urgent alerts issued about Houthi missiles heading toward the city. This is now a full blown regional war - just as every expert predicted if the U.S. attacked Iran. A disaster of Trump’s making.

This is such a sick, evil thing to say. Especially because he’s not saying this as a joke. Just as sick that his supporters are laughing at it.

That’s probably what they will claim. But it’s bs. During previous more deadly conflicts - like Iraq and Afghanistan - administrations of both parties honored Congress’s oversight responsibility and supported trips to visit bases in very hot, active wars.

I just finished a two hour meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Let me tell you about it. https://t.co/NLkkWMmmMk

DOHA, QATAR – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after arriving in Doha, Qatar on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East, where he will also visit Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sen. Murphy is the first Democratic Senator to visit the Gulf since the start of the Iran War. “I want to see firsthand the impact of the Iran War, the damage it’s caused to our facilities in the region, and how it’s harmed our relationships with partners in the region. “We know that Donald Trump has no clear plan to resolve the Iran War, which has now cost the American taxpayer over $45 billion. Pete Hegseth has been hiding the cost of the war, the extent of its damages, and the loss of American life from the public and from Congress. “I plan to see for myself the damage to American facilities, hear from our partners in the Gulf about how this war has hurt their security and their economies, and assess our regional counterterrorism efforts. “With Democrats on the verge of regaining control in Washington, it’s imperative that we offer a new approach to our policy in the Gulf that reflects America’s interests. This trip will help inform the construction of a new approach to the region. “I look forward to sharing more upon my return.” A media availability will occur upon return and be advised next week.

DOHA, QATAR – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statements after departing Doha, Qatar on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East, where he will also visit Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “It’s important for members of the Senate to see the damage that has been done to U.S. facilities firsthand… I’m meeting with regional partners, in particular the Qataris and the Saudis, to talk about the impact of the Iran War… and to pull back and think about what our approach should be to the Gulf going forward,” said Sen. Murphy upon arrival. In Qatar, Murphy met with His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. “There are so many things Qatar does to protect U.S. interests. They host our biggest military base in the region. They house 1000 Afghan refugees (that Trump refuses to let into the U.S.). They were key to getting the hostages out of Gaza. And they are mediators right now in the effort to end the war with Iran. I thanked the Emir for all of this. Qatar is and will remain an essential ally of the United States. Of course, I was also candid with him, in particular regarding my deep concerns about the transfer of the luxury plane. It was a very good, honest discussion,” said Murphy of his meeting with the Emir. Additionally, Murphy met with Ali Al Thawadi, Qatari Minister for Strategic Affairs and a key diplomat who coordinates U.S.-Iran shuttle diplomacy; Qatari royal and Qatar Foundation Vice Chair Sheikha Hind Al Thani in Education City to discuss the presence of American universities in Qatar; and Qatar Energy CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, among others. Sen. Murphy is the first Democratic Senator to visit the Gulf since the start of the Iran War. A media availability will occur upon return and be advised later this week.