Amash: Trump claim about US embassy threats 'seems to be totally made up'

"The administration didn’t present evidence to Congress regarding even one embassy," Amash tweeted.

"And they have never presented evidence of imminence—a necessary condition to act without congressional approval—with respect to any of this," he added, referencing Trump administration officials' justification for launching an airstrike that killed Soleimani.

The administration didn’t present evidence to Congress regarding even one embassy. The four embassies claim seems to be totally made up. And they have never presented evidence of imminence—a necessary condition to act without congressional approval—with respect to any of this. https://t.co/Eg0vaCnqFd

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) January 12, 2020

Senior administration officials have said that Soleimani posed an imminent threat to American lives but have not offered details on that position. Trump told Fox News on Friday that he believed four embassies, including the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, was being targeted.

Amash's statements came just hours after Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperOvernight Defense: Pentagon chief defends Milley after Trump book criticism | Addresses critical race theory | Top general says Taliban has 'strategic momentum' in war The Biden administration and Tunisia: Off to a good start Overnight Defense: Navy pulls plug on 0 million railgun effort | Esper defends Milley after Trump attacks | Navy vet charged in Jan. 6 riot wants trial moved MORE said on CBS's "Face the Nation" that he had not seen any "specific evidence" that supported Trump's claim that Iran was planning attacks on four embassies. Rather, Esper argued that Trump's position was that "there probably and could've been attacks against additional embassies."

"I shared that view. I know other members of the national security team shared that view. That’s why I deployed thousands of American paratroopers to the Middle East to reinforce our embassy in Baghdad and other sites throughout the region,” Esper said, adding that Trump did not cite a “specific piece of evidence.”

Pressed on whether there was specific evidence, Esper said that he did not see any. He added that administration officials "do not expect any further attacks."

Trump's decision to order a drone strike that killed Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, has been met with heavy scrutiny from members of Congress. Many lawmakers have denounced the administration over the lack of information provided to them on the attack. 

Sens. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineWe must deliver on the promise of public service loan forgiveness program and cancel educators' student loan debt Schumer gets big victories — but headaches loom Schumer sets September voting rights fight after GOP blocks quick debate MORE (D-Va.) and Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeSenate confirms Biden's first ambassador Cruz blocks Biden's State Department nominees ahead of Senate break Schumer sets September voting rights fight after GOP blocks quick debate MORE (R-Utah) said Sunday that they did not receive any information regarding alleged threats on four U.S. embassies during an intelligence briefing last week. 

“I was at the classified briefing because I'm both an Armed Services and Foreign Relations member. That wasn't told to us in the classified briefing, nor was there a suggestion that multiple embassies were threatened,” Kaine said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” 

Lee, who previously labeled the briefing "insulting," added on Sunday that the briefing was "not helpful" for lawmakers.