House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., praised President Trump Friday night for taking “decisive action” against the Syrian government, and said the Russians and Iranians have “blood on their hands” after Syrian President Bashar Assad used chemical weapons against his own citizens nearly a week ago.
“Tonight, the United States has taken decisive action in coordination with our allies,” Ryan said in a statement. “We are united in our resolve that Assad’s barbaric use of chemical weapons cannot go unanswered. His regime’s unconscionable brutality against innocent civilians cannot be tolerated.”
“There should be no doubt that Russia and Iran have blood on their hands, and their partnership with Assad reveals the true nature of their regimes. The United States and our allies must continue to seek ways to hold Assad’s enablers accountable,” Ryan said. “Let us all pay tribute to the men and women of our armed forces.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also expressed his support for “both the action and objective” behind the president’s strikes.
“The tactics employed by the Assad regime to consolidate gains and terrorize the people of Syria defied the U.S. position that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable,” McConnell said in a statement. “Last year, we undertook cruise missile strikes against the Shayrat airfield — from which aircraft used in a chemical weapons attack had been launched — and against assets of importance to the regime such as aircraft, hardened shelters, and air defense systems. These actions were intended to make clear to Assad that the use of chemical weapons would be met with a response. Assad ignored that warning.”
“It is evident that the President was provided with a number of options, and that our forces executed a challenging mission,” he added.
The comments came after Trump launched strikes into Syria Friday night.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said there would be updates Saturday morning regarding operations in the Middle Eastern nation Saturday morning.
