GOP senator to Trump: You’re getting close to making same mistake as Obama’s red line

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is warning President Trump against any effort that may “embolden” America’s enemies in the Middle East.

Grassley, the outgoing chairman of the Judiciary Committee, tweeted Friday comparing Trump’s announcement of a troop withdrawal from Syria with former President Obama’s drawing of a “red line” on the use of chemical weapons by Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

The GOP senator argued that Trump’s decision to pull U.S. troops out of the country and reports that the Trump administration is considering a major drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan could strengthen the Taliban and other U.S. foes in the region.{mosads}

“@realDonaldTrump You said in campaign that Obama drew a red line in sand & there were no consequences & that hurt America’s prestige,” Grassley tweeted. “I thnk you’re getting close to doing the same thing by tkng troops frm Syria & Afghanistan. You shouldn’t embolden Taliban during negotiations.”

@realDonaldTrump You said in campaign that Obama drew a red line in sand & there were no consequences & that hurt America’s prestige. I thnk you’re getting close to doing the same thing by tkng troops frm Syria & Afghanistan. You shouldn’t embolden Taliban during negotiations.

— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) December 21, 2018

Grassley’s comments followed criticism from other GOP senators and allies of the president over his moves in Syria, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who has demanded congressional hearings over the matter.

It is imperative Congress hold hearings on withdrawal decision in Syria — and potentially Afghanistan — to understand implications to our national security.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 21, 2018

The surprise decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria reportedly contributed to Defense Secretary James Mattis’s resignation on Thursday.

The New York Times reported that Mattis was rebuffed when he spoke with Trump about staying in Syria, hours before his resignation was announced.

Mattis said in a letter that he would exit the administration at the end of February while citing numerous policy differences with the president as the reason for his departure.

Trump has defended his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria while declaring U.S. combat operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the country to be a success.

“We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency,” Trump tweeted Wednesday morning.