President Trump said that there is a “great consensus” among Republicans and Democrats in Congress over sanctioning Turkey after its incursion against the Kurds in northern Syria.
Trump said in a Sunday tweet that he has been in contact with South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is highly critical of Trump’s decision to move troops out of northern Syria. Graham has called for Congress to sanction Turkey and suspend its membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization over attacks against the Kurdish people, whom the United States considers allies.
“Dealing with @LindseyGrahamSC and many members of Congress, including Democrats, about imposing powerful Sanctions on Turkey. Treasury is ready to go, additional legislation may be sought. There is great consensus on this. Turkey has asked that it not be done. Stay tuned!” Trump said.
Dealing with @LindseyGrahamSC and many members of Congress, including Democrats, about imposing powerful Sanctions on Turkey. Treasury is ready to go, additional legislation may be sought. There is great consensus on this. Turkey has asked that it not be done. Stay tuned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 13, 2019
Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation with Graham to sanction Turkey over its ongoing attacks against Kurds, who helped fight the Islamic State alongside the U.S.
On Sunday, hundreds of people associated with ISIS reportedly escaped a Syrian camp where they were being held as Turkish forces close in on Kurdish-held areas. The detainees attacked the guards and managed to flee, realizing a concern that has been expressed repeatedly by U.S. lawmakers.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday that the Treasury is primed to move forward with sanctioning Turkey at any time.
