President Donald Trump ordered an air strike at a Syrian air base Thursday night in retaliation for the country’s use of chemical weapons in a harrowing attack that killed more than 80 civilians.
In the first U.S. military action in Syria against President Bashar al-Assad, the U.S. fired 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Al Shayrat airfield, targeting fighter jets, ammunition bunkers, and other defense equipment, the Pentagon confirmed. The attack was on the more moderate side of options presented to Trump by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, and a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that Russian contacts were notified in advance to minimize the risk of striking Russian personnel or aircraft.
Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump opened with an emotional appeal and condemned the chemical attack by Syria. “It was a slow and brutal death for so many, even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack,” he said. “No child of God should ever suffer such horror.”
The president continued: “It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons.”
Trump’s remarks and swift call-to-action were in stark contrast to his nationalist presidential campaign and his promise to put “America first,” which led some critics to look for an ulterior motive.
They didn’t have look very hard, either.
Now that Obama’s poll numbers are in tailspin – watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran. He is desperate.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2012
Now that Trump's poll numbers are in tailspin – watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran. He is desperate.
— LeGate (@williamlegate) April 7, 2017
Donald Trump’s approval rating has been in something of a tailspin, though it never really reached a cruising altitude. He entered office with the lowest approval rating of any modern president, and he’s dropped even further in his first few months in office, which were marred by a controversial travel ban and a failed attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. A recent Gallup daily tracking poll put his approval rating at just 36 percent, and his average approval rating remains stuck in the low 40s.
There’s another, even more cynical reason why some people believe Trump ordered the air strike, however, based on Trump’s previous tweets: oil.
We should have gotten more of the oil in Syria, and we should have gotten more of the oil in Iraq. Dumb leaders.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2012
…so can you just admit now that you don't actually care about the kids?
— LeGate (@williamlegate) April 7, 2017
Trump vs. Trump: https://t.co/RaFmYWsy6c
— LeGate (@williamlegate) April 7, 2017
Please See Geneva Conventions ASAP #whyyousodumb
— EOM7404 (@EOBMaloney) April 6, 2017
Trump closed his brief remarks by calling on “civilized nations” to “join us in seeking to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria” and to end terrorism at large. He also asked for “God’s wisdom.”
“We pray for the lives of the wounded and for the souls of those who have passed,” he said. “And we hope that as long as America stands for justice, that peace and harmony will in the end prevail.”