Vice President Mike Pence advised congressional leaders Friday night of President Trump’s decision to launch a ‘precision’ strike against Syria from a hotel room in Peru.
Pence, who is in Lima to represent the U.S. at the Summit of the Americas as well as in an array of sideline meetings, rushed back to his lodgings to make the secure calls 30 minutes before Trump’s address to the nation.
He was able to reach House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., but could not contact Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Jarrod Agen, Pence’s communications director, told CNN Schumer was on a commercial flight. The pair have since spoken, per Bloomberg.
He spoke with McConnell, Ryan and Pelosi before announcement. Couldn’t reach Schumer, who was on a commercial flight per Pence comms director Jarrod Agen https://t.co/KyxTMWqdPg
— Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) April 14, 2018
The Defense Department said Friday night that U.S., British and French forces struck three Syrian facilities that officials believe play a key role in Syria’s ability to research, produce and store chemical weapons.
Pence just connected with Schumer, who was on a flight earlier, per @jeneps
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) April 14, 2018
The military action follows a chemical attack near Damascus, Syria, on Saturday, which killed 40 people and injured 500 more. The U.S. believes the Syrian government was behind the incident.
Trump pulled out of his planned South American trip on Tuesday.
