He might be getting heat from foes and friend, but President Trump is unrepentant about his decision to start withdrawing U.S. troops from northern Syria. Speaking at the White House, Trump said a U.S. troop presence was supposed to be a "short-term hit, in-and-out."
As part of that, he noted success against ISIS forces in Syria – much of which experts say would not have been achieved without Kurdish fighters. Trump said the U.S. is not going to be fighting endlessly overseas. He warned that the U.S. military can "go back" quickly if the need arise and added, "We wanna bring our troops back home" from "these endless wars." Trump's decision has been met with bipartisan criticism in Congress.
Trump is also rejecting reports that he blindsided congressional leaders and the Pentagon. He said – "I consulted with everybody; I always consult with everybody." In an earlier tweet, Trump said he was guided by his "great and unmatched wisdom."
As for those decrying the decision his side of the aisle, they include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who slammed the decision in statement. “A precipitous withdrawal of US forces from Syria would only benefit Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime,” McConnell offers. “And it would increase the risk that Isis and other terrorist groups regroup.” Senator Lindsey Graham – who has been seen as a staunch support of the president, told Fox News: “I hope I’m making myself clear how short-sighted and irresponsible this decision is. I like President Trump. I’ve tried to help him. This, to me, is just unnerving to its core.”
Source: White House