Senator Hirono Statement on President Trump’s Announcement to Withdraw Troops from Syria

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement on the President’s decision to withdraw American troops from Northern Syria:

“President Trump’s hasty, unilateral decision to withdraw U.S. troops and abandon our Kurdish allies in Northern Syria was made without consulting senior military and State Department officials. Trump’s rationale is based on lies and misinformation which are evident in his tweets. 

“The President continues a pattern of erratic behavior that has resulted in the erosion of our long-standing alliances. It’s actions like these that compelled Secretary Mattis, who understood the importance of our allies, to resign. 

“With this action, we stand to lose the gains we have made in the fight against extremism in the Middle East. This is a betrayal of the Kurdish forces who stood with us in the fight against ISIS and weakens the value of an American promise. 

“I call on the President to rescind his decision and come before Congress to explain his unsound actions.”

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