Mattis's Resignation Creates New Cracks Between G.O.P. Lawmakers and Trump
Hawkish Republican lawmakers, still reeling from President Trump's decision on Wednesday to yank American forces from Syria, found fresh cause for alarm on Thursday, after Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned in protest and reports circulated that the president was preparing to pull thousands of troops out of Afghanistan.
In perhaps the most surprising response, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the usually circumspect majority leader, issued a cutting and lengthy statement
Republicans, particularly in the Senate, have increasingly found themselves at odds with Mr. Trump on hot-button foreign policy issues. In a stinging rebuke of the president's defense of Saudi Arabia over the killing of a dissident journalist, the Senate voted last week to end American military assistance for the kingdom's war in Yemen.
What should worry Trump most: Republican allies are turning on him
A former Trump aide who asked to be described as "a Trump ally" told Axios that the sudden wave of criticism from the Hill over Syria and Mattis should scare the president because he would desperately need these lawmakers' support during a possible impeachment battle.
- "Once Republican lawmakers start rebuking the president publicly like this over policy, it makes it easier for them to say: 'It's not just Mueller or ethics. There are other concerns.' Then it's a slippery slope."
Catch up quick: In an unusually harsh statemen t, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he was "distressed" about Mattis' departure: "It is regrettable that the president must now choose a new Secretary of Defense. But I urge him to select a leader who shares Secretary Mattis's ... principles."
- Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) said after the Mattis announcement: "This is a sad day for America."
Mattis quits on principle, and congressional Republicans grow more willing to criticize the president.
The people who are supposed to be President Trump's biggest political allies are not happy with him.
These people -- congressional Republicans and even members of Trump's own administration -- are unhappy with his foreign policy. They're also unhappy with how he is handling year-end budget negotiations. And their dissatisfaction is a problem for Trump. It has already made him a weak president and could soon make him weaker.
"Fox & Friends" Slams Trump on Syria Withdrawal: Only a Child Would Think ISIS Is Defeated
Host Brian Kilmeade unleashed again on the president on his favorite morning show -- and, judging by his tweets, Trump was not happy.
And yes, people like Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh are thrilled that they goaded trump into shutting down the government for his wall and are laying off him for now, but this is NOT going to end with him getting his money for his wall. So they will once again be furious with him for not delivering on their racist fantasy.
Senator Graham calls for hearings on troops in Syria, Afghanistan
Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters he wanted to hear directly from Mattis at any hearing. Mattis announced plans on Thursday to depart in a candid resignation letter to Trump that laid bare the growing divide between them.
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