I just walked past a TV playing MSNBC and heard part of a panel discussion about US forces in Syria. In about 30 seconds, one panelist stated that the war in Syria was not authorized by Congress, that President Trump was the one who decided to "keep out forces in Syria" and that President Trump was not the one who should decide whether or not US forces should remain in Syria. It was a trifecta of ignorance.
First, the US forces in Syria are part of the American fighting against ISIS. That was authorized under the authorization for the use of military force passed by Congress after the 9-11 attacks. That authorization permits US forces to be used against terrorist targets around the world. ISIS qualifies as a terrorist target. Strike One!
Second, it was president Obama who introduced American forces into Syria, not Trump. Obama put special operations troops on the ground in Syria to be part of the effort against ISIS. Trump did keep those troops there after taking office, but it's rather silly to discuss keeping the troops there rather than who decided to put them there in the first place. Strike Two!
Third, as commander in chief of the military, the president is the one who has the ultimate authority with regard to where US troops will or will not be deployed. Congress only gives the authorization for war; the president decides where and how to conduct that war. Congress could cut off the funding for troops in Syria which would force their exit from that country, but the decision on whether or not US forces should remain in Syria is clearly and constitutionally one made by President Trump. Strike Three!
The funny thing is that no one on the panel on MSNBC even bothered to mention these glaring errors discussed above. I bet that in their eagerness to find ways to slam Trump, they don't even hear this stuff. Why does anyone watch this nonsense?
First, the US forces in Syria are part of the American fighting against ISIS. That was authorized under the authorization for the use of military force passed by Congress after the 9-11 attacks. That authorization permits US forces to be used against terrorist targets around the world. ISIS qualifies as a terrorist target. Strike One!
Second, it was president Obama who introduced American forces into Syria, not Trump. Obama put special operations troops on the ground in Syria to be part of the effort against ISIS. Trump did keep those troops there after taking office, but it's rather silly to discuss keeping the troops there rather than who decided to put them there in the first place. Strike Two!
Third, as commander in chief of the military, the president is the one who has the ultimate authority with regard to where US troops will or will not be deployed. Congress only gives the authorization for war; the president decides where and how to conduct that war. Congress could cut off the funding for troops in Syria which would force their exit from that country, but the decision on whether or not US forces should remain in Syria is clearly and constitutionally one made by President Trump. Strike Three!
The funny thing is that no one on the panel on MSNBC even bothered to mention these glaring errors discussed above. I bet that in their eagerness to find ways to slam Trump, they don't even hear this stuff. Why does anyone watch this nonsense?
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