ABC News

ABC News(WASHINGTON) — While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi demanded an immediate briefing on the U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Friday that President Donald Trump informed him about the operation beforehand earlier this week in Florida.

“I was briefed about the potential operation when I was down in Florida,” Graham, who was spotted Monday playing golf with the president in West Palm Beach, told Fox and Friends Friday morning.

“I appreciate being brought into the orbit. I really appreciate President Trump letting the world know you cannot kill an American without impunity,” Graham said. “We’ll stand up for our people. And that is an absolutely essential message.”

Pelosi is a member of the so-called “Gang of Eight” top congressional leaders protocol and the law requires they be informed of classified intelligence and national security matters, but she and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were not notified beforehand. An aide to Pelosi told ABC News Defense Secretary Mark Esper did call her afterward Thursday night.

“The night’s airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence,” Pelosi said in a statement Thursday night. “America – and the world – cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return. The Administration has conducted tonight’s strikes in Iraq targeting high-level Iranian military officials and killing Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran. This action was taken without the consultation of the Congress.”

The Trump administration’s choice not to inform top congressional leaders continues a pattern that breaks with practices by previous administrations. At the same time, Graham says he also was told about the U.S. mission targeting ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi last October 2019.

House Intelligence Committee Chairmam Adam Schiff, D-Calif, also a member of the “Gang of Eight,” echoed Pelosi’s point that the strike was not authorized by Congress.

Soleimani was responsible for unthinkable violence and world is better off without him.

But Congress didn’t authorize and American people don’t want a war with Iran.

All steps must now be taken to protect our forces against the almost inevitable escalation and increased risk. https://t.co/Z4HTnScFg7

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 3, 2020

It’s unclear whether House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was informed of the operation before it was carried out, but he did spend time with Trump this week at Mar-a-Lago and tweeted his support Friday morning.

Last night was a memorable and historic evening at Mar-a-Lago—the Winter White House. Proud of our President for taking decisive action!