General: ‘There Is Blood on Trump’s Hands’

“There was no chance Erdogan would keep his promise, and full blown ethnic cleansing is underway by Turkish supported militias. This is what happens when Trump follows his instincts and because of his alignment with autocrats. … I said there would be blood, but could not have imagined this outcome.”

— Gen. John Allen, the former commander of American forces in Afghanistan, told CNN that there is “blood on Trump’s hands for abandoning our Kurdish allies.”

Trump Says ISIS Fighters Will Escape to Europe, Not the U.S.

“They’re going to be escaping to Europe.”

— Donald Trump, when asked if he was concerned that Islamic State fighters would be able to escape because of Turkey’s military operation in Syria, he predicted that the militants would not travel to the United States, CBS News reports. His comment was apparently meant to reassure Americans.

Graham: Trump Is Putting the Nation at Risk

“I think he’s putting the nation at risk, and I think he’s putting his presidency at risk. And I hope he will adjust his policies like he did before. That would actually be a sign of real leadership.”

— In an interview with Axios. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) condemned President Trump in his harshest language yet for deciding to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria, suggesting Trump is violating his oath of office by allowing Turkey to move in and attack the Kurds.

McConnell Rebukes Trump Over Syria Pullout

“I urge the President to exercise American leadership to keep together our multinational coalition to defeat ISIS and prevent significant conflict between our NATO ally Turkey and our local Syrian counterterrorism partners. Major new conflict between Turkey and our partners in Syria would seriously risk damaging Turkey’s ties to the United States and causing greater isolation for Turkey on the world stage.”

— Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell publicly rebuking President Trump’s plan to withdraw U.S. troops from northeast Syria, the Washington Post reports.

Haley Criticizes Trump’s Syria Withdrawal

“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.”

— Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley blasted President Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria and allow Turkey to carry out an operation in the region.

Graham Enraged by Trump’s Decision to Withdraw from Syria

“If I’m an Isis fighter, I’ve got a second lease on life. So to those who think ISIS has been defeated, you will soon see.”

— Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is enraged over President Trump’s decision to abandon U.S. allies in northern Syria and took the rare step of challenging the president on Twitter and in a phone call to Fox News, calling it a “disaster in the making.”