The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell Lawrence: Gabbard defying, not protecting Trump, in refusing to agree Iran posed imminent threat
Mar 19, 2026
Ruben Gallego, Arizona senator focused on homeland security and immigration; Ro Khanna, Representative active on oversight and Justice Department issues; Tammy Duckworth, Illinois senator and combat veteran on military and veterans’ affairs. They debate DHS confirmation drama, conflicts over Iran imminent-threat claims, subpoena battles surrounding the Attorney General, and fallout from pardons and military policy decisions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Family Blames Trump After Air Force Fatality
- Family members of Sergeant Tyler Simmons publicly blamed President Trump for a war they say was unnecessary after his death in a refueling plane crash.
- Simmons' grandmother and cousin explicitly said, "This could have been prevented" and lamented the war's costs.
Gabbard Refuses To Back Imminent Threat Claim
- Tulsi Gabbard refused to endorse President Trump's claim that Iran posed an imminent nuclear threat, signaling a break with the administration's public justification for war.
- Joe Kent's resignation letter and testimony asserted there was no imminent threat and Gabbard declined to contradict him in open Senate questioning.
Resignation Letter Claims No Immediate Iranian Nuclear Threat
- Joe Kent, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, publicly stated intelligence did not show Iran posed an immediate nuclear attack threat.
- Kent assessed Iran was months to years from a weapon and found no intelligence indicating imminent plans or external procurement.