Collins: Trump is going to have to reconsider withdrawal from Syria after reported chemical attack

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said on Sunday that President Trump is going to have to reconsider his plans to pull U.S. troops from Syria following an alleged chemical attack that killed dozens of civilians. 

“I think the president is going to have to reconsider his plan for an early withdrawal in light of what has happened,” Collins told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union.”

{mosads}The president suggested last week that he wanted to pull U.S. troops out of Syria. 

Collins went on to say the attack presents an opportunity for Trump to increase pressure on Russia and the Kremlin’s support for Syrian President Bashar Assad. 

“Last time this happened, the president did a targeted attack to take out some of the facilities. That may be an option that we should consider now, but it is further reason why it is so important that the president ramp up the pressure and the sanctions on the Russian government because, without the support of Russia, I do not believe that Assad would still be in office,” Collins said. 

Trump on Sunday lashed out at Russia for its support of the Syrian government in a tweet on Sunday. 

Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. 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…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018

The State Department also called for the Kremlin to end its support for Assad. 

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement that Russia “ultimately bears responsibility for these brutal attacks.”

“The United States calls on Russia to end this unmitigated support immediately and work with the international community to prevent further barbaric chemical weapons attacks,” she said.