Suspected Chemical Attack In Syria: Trump Aide Says No Response Is 'Off The Table'
No response to the suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria is off the table, according to President Donald Trump’s homeland security adviser.
Speaking in an interview with ABC’s This Week, Thomas Bossert said the administration was looking into the attack, which is thought to have taken place on Saturday in the Douma, outside of Damascus.
“I wouldn’t take anything off the table. These are horrible photos, we’re looking into the attack at this point,” Bossert told Martha Raddatz of the attack, which left at least 34 dead and at least 500 others injured, according to reports from the Syrian American Medical Society.
The adviser also suggested there should be increased cooperation with other Middle Eastern countries as well as decreasing the U.S.’ presence in Syria, echoing what President Trump himself suggested last week.
"American troops aren’t going to fix the six or seven different ongoing conflicts and wars going on in the Middle East or in Syria at this stage. We need regional partnership increased and we need U.S. presence decreased," he said.
Trump’s previous suggestion that the U.S. pull troops out of Syria caused clashes between the president and advisers who warned against the decision.
And on Sunday, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said a move to withdraw troops from the country would be a step in the wrong direction, adding that Trump’s actions following the alleged attack would be a “defining moment in his presidency.”
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“If you pull troops out of Syria … that’s the end of the U.S. being a reliable ally,” Graham said on This Week.
His comments come following a swift response from President Trump on the suspected attack, with a tweet fired off slamming Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, as well as Russia and Iran.
“Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria,” he tweeted. “Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!”