Prominent Republicans are doing something rare today and speaking out against Donald Trump. Many members of the GOP party say the president’s decision to immediately withdraw all troops from Syria is a mistake.
Trump ally Lindsey Graham calls a withdrawal from Syria “an Obama-like mistake,” arguing that it will "be seen by Iran and other bad actors as a sign of American weakness in the efforts to contain Iranian expansion."
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) December 19, 2018
Watch what else Graham said above.
Senator Marco Rubio, also usually goes along with Trump’s decisions, but not today. He is calling the president’s plan “a grave error.”
Sen. Marco Rubio: "The decision to withdraw an American presence in Syria is a colossal, in my mind, mistake." https://t.co/O2Q4an2j1b pic.twitter.com/9B0ZomecQS
— The Hill (@thehill) December 19, 2018
Trump’s tweet stating “We have defeated ISIS in Syria” is also causing fact-checking by members of his own party. Rep. Adam Kinzinger replied, “This is simply not true.” Watch what else he told CNN’s Jake Tapper.
GOP Rep. @AdamKinzinger: “I’m speechless today, Jake … To see the President wake up today and say we’ve defeated 'em, we know that’s not true. Nobody would argue we’ve defeated them. That’s not only going to hamper our operation, it’s going to double or triple the ranks of ISIS" pic.twitter.com/Dxi6Q2bFDZ
— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) December 19, 2018
Senator Bob Corker seems especially disturbed by what is unfolding.
Wow. Corker went to the White House for his scheduled meeting with Trump, hoping to discuss Syria. Meeting was canceled while Corker was sitting there, he just told reporters per @GarrettHaake
— Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews) December 19, 2018
After WH meeting, Corker on Trump pulling out of Syria. "I've never seen a decision like this" in 12 years in the Senate over a "massive decision" … "where nothing is communicated in advance. .. For all involved, this was a major shock…It's obviously a political decision. "
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 19, 2018
ABC correspondent Mary Bruce also wrote, “VP Pence just got an earful from GOP senators at their weekly lunch on the president’s decision to withdraw US troops from Syria.”