There’s a scene at the end of Scent of a Woman where Colonel Frank Slade gives his epic speech defending Charlie Simms from expulsion: “When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall. And it has fallen here. It has fallen!”
This is where we are with Syria, as it was announced earlier this morning that President Trump will end joint operations with Turkey, removing U.S. troops. In a hasty move, the president has shown allies that the cradle of leadership that is American power and sensibility has fallen.
The Kurds, long allied with the United States, will now be left to fend for themselves with ISIS and Turkey on either side. Not to mention Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian military.
How the Kurds will fare absent U.S. support cannot be known for sure, but the range of possibilities don’t seem too promising.
Unlike many of the scandals in recent weeks, where GOP elected officials, thought leaders, and former administration officials have gone into their shells, we’re seeing something different here: actual pushback.
Here’s a roundup of what folks are saying and doing. (This list will be updated.)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell:
My statement on Turkey and U.S. partners in Syria. https://t.co/6ha3zUhSQO
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) October 7, 2019
President Trump’s former U.N. Ambassador:
We must always have the backs of our allies, if we expect them to have our back. The Kurds were instrumental in our successful fight against ISIS in Syria. Leaving them to die is a big mistake. #TurkeyIsNotOurFriend
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) October 7, 2019
Senator Marco Rubio:
If reports about US retreat in #Syria are accurate, the Trump administration has made a grave mistake that will have implications far beyond Syria.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) October 7, 2019
Senator Mitt Romney:
The President’s decision to abandon our Kurd allies in the face of an assault by Turkey is a betrayal. It says that America is an unreliable ally; it facilitates ISIS resurgence; and it presages another humanitarian disaster. https://t.co/Tu8ARa8Pmp
— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) October 7, 2019
This President’s decision to abandon our Kurdish allies in Northern Syria is ultimately a victory for Assad, Russia, Iran, and ISIS. The Administration must immediately reconsider withdrawing the few remaining U.S. troops who are playing a vital peacekeeping role.
— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) October 7, 2019
Senator Ted Cruz:
We cannot allow ISIS to return. Right now some 15,000 ISIS fighters remain in Iraq and Syria, and Idlib Province has a higher concentration of terrorists than any location in last 40 years.
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) October 7, 2019
Senator Pat Toomey:
It could also lead to war between Turkey and Syrian Kurds, a result that will boost enemy regimes in Syria, Iran, and Russia. This betrayal of the Kurds will also severely harm our credibility as an ally the world over. President Trump should rethink this decision immediately.
— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) October 7, 2019
Senator Marsha Blackburn:
For the past several years, American forces have fought alongside our Kurdish allies in Syria to provide safety and security to the region. As the Syrian people seek stability post-conflict, we ought not to give ISIS any room to regain territory.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) October 7, 2019
Representative Vicky Hartzler:
The decision to abruptly pull troops out of #Syria is a mistake. Leaving the region will mean abandoning the Kurds who have been fiercely loyal allies as we’ve moved to eliminate ISIS and stabilize the region.
I urge the White House to reconsider this decision. pic.twitter.com/hBan5NbNEG
— Rep. Vicky Hartzler (@RepHartzler) October 7, 2019
Representative Brad Wenstrup:
Standing down in Syria is a retreat from hard-won gains against ISIS and a let-down for our Kurdish friends. I fear it may open the door for authoritarian regimes to seed further instability in the region.
— Brad Wenstrup (@RepBradWenstrup) October 7, 2019
Representative Pete Olson:
As a former Navy pilot who flew missions in the Middle East and fully appreciates the sacrifices our troops have made to protect us from ISIS, I reject any early withdrawal from Syria. Read my full statement here: https://t.co/mklit82dMI pic.twitter.com/kmwR2zweBY
— Rep. Pete Olson (@RepPeteOlson) October 7, 2019
Representative Liz Cheney:
Withdrawing US forces from Northern Syria is a catastrophic mistake that puts our gains against ISIS at risk and threatens US security.
This decision ignores lesson of 9/11. Terrorists thousands of miles away can and will use their safe-havens to launch attacks against America.
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) October 7, 2019
Senator Lindsey Graham:
By abandoning the Kurds we have sent the most dangerous signal possible – America is an unreliable ally and it’s just a matter of time before China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea act out in dangerous ways.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 7, 2019
Hope and expect sanctions against Turkey – if necessary – would be veto-proof.
This decision to abandon our Kurdish allies and turn Syria over to Russia, Iran, & Turkey will put every radical Islamist on steroids. Shot in the arm to the bad guys. Devastating for the good guys.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 7, 2019
Representative Michael Waltz:
This is a logical decision for the U.S. to make. But I disagree with it.
Erdogan cares only about the Kurds. He will do little to contain ISIS, which could have global implications. https://t.co/qdZcOFJWoI
— Rep. Michael Waltz (@RepMichaelWaltz) October 7, 2019
Representative Adam Kinzinger:
Once again @realDonaldTrump uses Rand Paul’s “endless wars” talking points as he orders America to once again abandon our friends and give Russia & Iran exactly what they want. This is wrong. #Syria
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) October 7, 2019
Former Republican, now Independent Representative Justin Amash:
President Trump is not ending any war. He insists on keeping American troops in Syria in violation of our Constitution. He’s simply moving troops out of a specific area and green lighting Turkey’s attack on the Kurds and others who have helped combat ISIS. It’s just more war.
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) October 7, 2019
The Dean of Fox News, Brit Hume:
This seems utterly reckless on Trump’s part. https://t.co/lvgTxvHXKT
— Brit Hume (@brithume) October 7, 2019
Representative Elise Stefanik:
I just returned from a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Turkey, Afghanistan & the Syrian-Jordanian border w/ 4 of my colleagues. Our statement on the Admin's decision regarding Syria, which is a catastrophic blow to our national security interests ⬇️https://t.co/qO5T9GGL9O
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) October 7, 2019
Representative Steve King:
Strongly disagree with @POTUS Trump decision to allow Erdogan to invade Syria. Betrays Kurds, strengthens ISIS and endangers American homeland.
— Rep. Pete King (@RepPeteKing) October 7, 2019
President Trump, responding to the pushback, tweeted this:
….the captured ISIS fighters and families. The U.S. has done far more than anyone could have ever expected, including the capture of 100% of the ISIS Caliphate. It is time now for others in the region, some of great wealth, to protect their own territory. THE USA IS GREAT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2019
A few hours later, President Trump’s Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, weighed in in a since-deleted tweet:
While ISIS territory has been greatly curtailed, it’s not true to say that the U.S. captured 100% of its former caliphate (or that anyone has). ISIS still remains a threat. President seems to trust Turkey enough to not massacre the Kurds. Whereas folks like his former U.N. ambassador and those above, do not.
Hopefully the President’s “great and unmatched” wisdom won’t result in a genocide of longtime U.S. allies.
