GOP wants Obama top adviser ‘dismissed’ over spinning JCPOA

US Republican senators have demanded that President Barack Obama “dismiss” his top advisor, Ben Rhodes, over attempts to “mislead elected lawmakers and the American public” over a nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers.

The deputy national security advisor for strategic communication was accused of creating an “echo chamber” to sell the agreement to the anti-Iran GOPers, according to the letter, citing a New York Times Magazine profile.

‘Sober debate’

In the piece titled “The Aspiring Novelist Who Became Obama’s Foreign-Policy Guru,” Rhodes “admitted” to reporter David Samuels that the Obama administration “created an echo chamber.”

Rhodes argued that he would have opted for “a sober, reasoned public debate (over the nuclear agreement), after which members of Congress reflect and take a vote… But that’s impossible.”

The piece, published on May 5, made GOP lawmakers ask Obama to dismiss the top aide.

Rhodes was also asked to attend a congressional hearing Tuesday, which he skipped as “the appearance of a senior presidential adviser before Congress threatens the independence and autonomy of the President,” according to a response by White House Counsel W. Neil Eggleston to Chairman Jason Chaffetz’ request.

‘Deeply disturbed’

The GOPers have spared no efforts to disrupt nuclear negotiations with Tehran as well as the JCPOA, reached between Tehran and the P5+1 -- the US, Britain, Russia, China, France, and Germany -- last year.

Rhodes’ idea that the Republican-controlled Congress is incapable of a reasonable conversation over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action infuriated the senators.

“We call on you to dismiss Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes before he further tarnishes the Office of President,” read the letter by the “deeply disturbed” lawmakers.

‘Wildly misinformed’

White House press secretary Josh Earnest, however, defended Rhodes, saying it was the time for the Republicans to “have some explaining.”

"I think there are some people who have some explaining to do when it comes to the wildly false accusations that they made about the Iran deal. And it's not the administration. It's Republicans who are demonstrably wrong when it comes to the Iran deal," Earnest said, accusing several Republican lawmakers, including Arkansas republican Senator Tom Cotton, of being "wildly misinformed, mistaken or lying."

Chaffetz responded to Earnest in a tweet, saying, "Dear @PressSec, @SenTomCotton will testify if @rhodes44 is man enough to show. Let's discuss the truth.”

With their long-term links to the Israeli regime, the anti-Tehran Republican lawmakers fear a stronger Iran in the Middle East after the JCPOA.

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