A trio of Senate Republicans lauded President Trump for “decisively” acting by launching military strikes against Syria Thursday night two days after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad targeted civilians with chemicals weapons.
In a joint statement, Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said that Trump sent an “important message” against the Assad regime and Russian President Vladimir Putin. They also called for a “new, comprehensive strategy” to end the conflict in Syria.
“We salute the skill and professionalism of the U.S. Armed Forces who carried out tonight’s strikes in Syria,” the two U.S. Senators said. “Acting on the orders of their commander-in-chief, they have sent an important message the United States will no longer stand idly by as Assad, aided and abetted by Putin’s Russia, slaughters innocent Syrians with chemical weapons and barrel bombs. ”
“Unlike the previous administration, President Trump confronted a pivotal moment in Syria and took action. For that, he deserves the support of the American people. Building on tonight’s credible first step, we must finally learn the lessons of history and ensure that tactical success leads to strategic progress,” they said. “That means following through with a new, comprehensive strategy in coordination with our allies and partners to end the conflict in Syria.”
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., echoed the remarks from his fellow senators. He said that Trump “acted decisively” by launching the strike and that Assad’s days of “committing war crimes with impunity are over.”
“Tonight’s strike against the Assad regime’s Shayrat Air Base will hopefully diminish his capacity to commit atrocities against innocent civilians. By acting decisively against the very facility from which Assad launched his murderous chemical weapons attack, President Trump has made it clear to Assad and those who empower him that the days of committing war crimes with impunity are over,” Rubio said. “What must follow is a real and comprehensive strategy to ensure that Assad is no longer a threat to his people and to U.S. security, and that Russia no longer has free reign to support his regime.”
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., also spoke highly of the move. In a statement, the second-highest ranking Senate Democrat said the strike was a “measured response” and that talk of any further action in the region should be consulted with Congress.
“My preliminary briefing by the White House indicated that this was a measured response to the Syrian nerve gas atrocity,” Durbin said. “Any further action will require close scrutiny by Congress, and any escalation beyond airstrikes or missile strikes will require engaging the American people in that decision.”
