Lawmakers from both parties expressed significant frustration following a closed-door session with Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby on Thursday. The briefing, held before the Senate Armed Services Committee, was intended to clarify the Trump administration’s current National Defense Strategy and the Pentagon's approach to the ongoing war involving Iran.

According to reports from the session, the meeting faced immediate difficulties, with senators characterizing the exchange as unproductive. Lawmakers indicated that Colby failed to provide the specific, actionable information they were seeking regarding military policy and strategic objectives. The bipartisan nature of the criticism suggests a shared concern among committee members regarding the transparency or preparedness of the Pentagon’s leadership on these critical national security issues.

Because the briefing was held behind closed doors, specific details regarding the exact questions posed by senators or the precise responses given by Colby remain limited. However, the consensus among those who exited the room was that the briefing did not meet the committee's expectations for clarity or strategic insight. The Pentagon has not yet issued a formal statement addressing the specific grievances raised by the committee members following the meeting.