Department of Defense Undersecretary for Policy Elbridge Colby is once again facing criticism from senators who said he was evasive, unresponsive and even disrespectful at a classified briefing on Thursday regarding the implementation of the National Defense Strategy.

Senators said that, among other issues, Colby had failed to provide clear answers regarding the war in Iran. 

“The most telling thing I can tell you is that he didn’t have an opening statement, and he’s there to give us an update,” Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) told reporters. “That seemed weird. You’re the policy undersecretary and you come before the Armed Services Committee and you don’t have an opening statement? That seemed contemptuous.”

In comments to The Hill, Cramer described the exchange with Colby as “very disrespectful to say the least” and as a “dodge and punt.”

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) said Colby “was not giving any clear responses” and that she was “very disappointed” by the briefing.

“Right now, I don’t think any of us are happy with the amount of information being shared by the administration,” Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) said after Thursday’s briefing with Colby.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) attempted to avoid commenting on the subject to reporters on Thursday. “It was a confidential, classified meeting and I’m declining to comment,” Wicker told reporters, when asked if he was satisfied with the briefing.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) told Jewish Insider Colby had been “disastrously unresponsive and evasive, which prompted a lot of concern on both sides.”

“My impression [was] that he was lacking in candor and a lot less than forthcoming,” Blumental continued.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-MD) told JI that Colby had been evasive on questions about his specific involvement in various discussions and decision-making, and that Colby had responded that he would have to follow up with senators in writing after the briefing.

“Those are easy to answer yes or no. So a lot of frustration,” Kaine said.

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) said that Colby “did not really address our concerns or issues” and “he was not forthcoming in how the National Defense Strategy should have been changed or updated since the illegal war in Iran.” 

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), said, “Like a lot of these, with this administration, you walk out with more questions than you had when you went in. For me, that was the case today.”

Kelly said he pressed Colby on the planning for the war in Iran. “You always get answers — now is it the answer you would expect? Not always.”