https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1141711064305983488

FoxNews.com reports that

Top administration officials and lawmakers have left the White House after a classified briefing lasting over an hour, about Iran’s sudden downing of an American surveillance drone in the Middle East — and a “measured” U.S. response, they suggested, is likely coming soon.

Amid mounting tension between the U.S. and Iran, the White House earlier Thursday invited House and Senate leaders and Democrats and Republicans on the House and Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees to meet with President Trump in the White House’s secure Situation Room.

Others who arrived for the meeting included CIA Director Gina Haspel, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Army Secretary Mark Esper, whom Trump has said he’ll nominate as defense secretary.

Shanahan was spotted outside the White House carrying a folder stamped “SECRET/NOFORN,” an intelligence classification category prohibiting distribution to anyone outside the government.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told Fox News that “we had a good briefing” and that the Trump administration would engage in “measured responses.”

McConnell confirmed the U.S.’s firm position that the drone was operating in international airspace, even as Iran has tried to make the case that the drone had “violated” Iranian airspace.

In a statement, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and Ranking Members Michael McCaul of Texas (House Foreign Affairs), Devin Nunes of California (House Intelligence), and Mac Thornberry of Texas (House Armed Services) all condemned Iran’s “direct attack,” and demanded “measured” retaliation.

“Iran directly attacked a United States asset over international waters,” the Republicans wrote. “This provocation comes a week after they attacked and destroyed two commercial tankers in international waters. There must be a measured response to these actions. President Trump and his national security team remain clear-eyed on the situation and what must be done in response to increased Iranian aggression. In Congress, we stand ready to support our men and women in uniform, our country, and our allies in the region.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., issued a separate statement after the briefing calling for calm.

“In light of the targeting of an unmanned U.S. drone by Iran, it is essential that we remain fully engaged with our allies, recognize that we are not dealing with a responsible adversary and do everything in our power to de-escalate.

“This is a dangerous, high-tension situation that requires a strong, smart and strategic, not reckless, approach,” Pelosi said.

Speaking to reporters, Pelosi said she also was convinced that U.S. intelligence was correct in its assessment that the drone was in international airspace when it was shot down. But, Pelosi added, the Trump administration legally would need to obtain Congress’ approval before taking military action.

“We make it very clear that to get involved in any military activities, we must have a new Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF),” Pelosi cautioned.

…Hours earlier, the Pentagon released video showing the smoke trail of a Navy drone that was shot out of the sky over the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, in what military officials described as an “unprovoked attack.”

Trump told reporters that Iran made a “very big mistake” but also said he had the feeling that it might have been the result of someone being “loose” or doing something “stupid,” rather than a deliberate provocation by Iran.

Iran does not seem to understand that they are not dealing with Petulant President Pantywaist anymore.

Former President Barack Hussein Obama innately trusted Muslims…even radical ones.

Obama, Kerry, and the rest of his Liberal Dhimmi Cabal showed where their loyalties unequivocally lied, with their braggadocio over this Chamberlain-esque “deal” that, from the start, was destined to not only blow up in their faces, but also “where alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears” and in the heart of the Holy Land, itself.

Obama’s concern was never with our allies nor the safety of the citizens and the military of the United States of America.

Obama, as he always had been, was concerned with himself and leaving a marvelous legacy as president.

Giving Iran the means to “kill the infidels” definitely cemented Obama’s Legacy as an incompetent buffoon.

Iran has always been, since the ouster of the Shah, a rogue nation. They are a threat to every nation who stands in the way of their crazed Political Ideology, disguised as a “religion”.

As President Trump said in his Speech to the Arab World, which he delivered in Saudi Arabia, a little over 1 year ago.

The Iranian regime’s longest suffering victims are its own people. Iran has a rich history and culture, but the people of Iran have endured hardship and despair under their leader’s reckless pursuit of conflict and terror. Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it, deny it, funding for terrorism, cannot do it, and pray for the day when the Iranian people have the just and righteous government they so richly deserve.

Iran feared a Trump Presidency.

It was far more lucrative for them, when the United States “negotiated from a position of weakness”, when we had a vacillating dhimmi in the White House.

Now, as they found out when he canceled the “agreement” that they made with Obama, Iran has to negotiate with an American President who has mastered “The Art of the Deal”.

…one who will place America and her best interests, first.

The problem Trump faces with Iran is the fact that, as he told the UN, they are a state sponsor of Radical Islamic Terrorism. They are bullies who will lie to your face, as they did to our naïve Former President, when he made his “Gentlemen’s Agreement” with them concerning the development of nuclear weapons.

Through continued acts of aggression, such as the mining of the Japanese ship and the shooting down of our unmanned drone, the leaders of Iran are testing President Trump’s and our nation’s resolve. Plain and simple.

Just like President Reagan sent a guided missile straight into Libyan Madman Moamar Qadhafi’s bedroom, perhaps it is time for President Trump to “fire a shot across the bow” and get the attention of the Radical Islamic Mullahs who govern the Rogue Country of Iran.

After all, bullies with think twice if you stand up to them and give them something to think about.

Ask the bully in 7th grade whom I hit square between the eyes with my 2s (Tom) drumsticks.

He never bothered me again.

And, after President Reagan gave Qadhafi something to think about, we did not hear from him again for 25 years.

Things could get very interesting, very soon.

Until He Comes,

KJ