Article snippet: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday called on the White House to brief lawmakers on the raid that targeted Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, noting that President Donald Trump informed the Russians of the Islamic State leader’s apparent death before telling congressional leadership. The statement from Pelosi, D-Calif., came after Trump told reporters at a lengthy news conference that he did not inform the House speaker of the raid because he ‘‘wanted to make sure this kept secret.’’ U.S. presidents typically follow the protocol of contacting congressional leaders, regardless of their political party, when a high-level military operation is conducted. ‘‘The House must be briefed on this raid, which the Russians but not top congressional leadership were notified of in advance, and on the administration’s overall strategy in the region,’’ Pelosi said. ‘‘Our military and allies deserve strong, smart and strategic leadership from Washington.’’ Trump said Sunday that he had contacted two Senate Republicans, Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr of North Carolina and Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, ahead of his announcement in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House. He called Burr ‘‘a great gentleman’’ and Graham ‘‘a very strong hawk’’ who ‘‘agrees with what we’re doing now.’’ Asked whether he had informed Pelosi, Trump replied, ‘‘No, I didn’t. I didn’t do that. I wanted to make sure this kept secret. I don’t want to have men lost, and women.... Link to the full article to read more