President Donald Trump’s announcement that he has pulled U.S. troops out of northern Syria and allowing Turkey to conduct military operations in the region, was met with significant resistance from both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill.
Trump was accused of abandoning Kurdish allies and essentially turning Syria over to Turkey, Iran & Russia, and supercharge radical Islamists in the region.
But while Senators like Marco Rubio (R) referred to the decision as a “grave mistake,” other Republicans applauded the president.
Sen. Rand Paul (R) called Rubio and others the “Neocon war caucus” for frowning on the decision to pull a few hundred U.S. troops.
He may be taking incoming fire from his right flank, but in the end, this presidential decision could payoff politically with war weary voters.
Here are what Florida’s congressional delegation said about Trump’s unilateral decision to pull out of Syria:
Sen. Marco Rubio (R)- “We degraded ISIS using Kurd’s as the ground force.Now we have abandoned them & they face annihilation at the hands of the Turkish military ISIS could now be reinvigorated when 1000’s of jailed fighters break out when the Kurdish guards are forced to leave to go fight Turkey”
Sen. Rick Scott (R)- No remarks
Rep. Ted Deutch (D) - “Reckless and dangerous decision to abandon SDF. Kurds have been critical US partners and most effective in fight against ISIS,” said Deutch “Again, POTUS makes a major policy decision after phone call w/ foreign leader that ignores advice of our own military leaders & facts on ground.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R)- "So the nation with “no fault” divorce is supposed to stay married to the Syrian Kurds...forever? We gave them weapons, money and training to run ISIS out of *their* region. Now we are supposed to entangle ourselves in their 400+ yr conflict w the Turks? Do we share values?"
Rep. Lois Frankel (D)- "What a reckless, shortsighted decision. This is a mistake – we’re abandoning our allies & undermining the fight against ISIS, putting countless civilian lives at risk."
