Dem: Trump doesn’t have authorization for military action in Syria

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said Wednesday that President Trump does not have the authorization to use military force against the Syrian government.

During an interview on CNN’s “New Day,” Cardin called the use of chemical weapons “absolutely outrageous.”

“We must make it clear that that will not be acceptable and there will be a reaction on the use of chemical weapons,” he said.

{mosads}”Secondly, the president does not have authorization from Congress to use force against the Syrian regime. He should come to Congress and get the authorization for use of military force.”

Cardin added that the administration does not have a coordinated policy for dealing with Syria, where a civil war has been raging since 2011.

“He has to come to Congress and the American people and tell us what the game plan is,” Cardin said. “How do we get to a resolution?”

The Democrat’s comments come after the White House earlier this week said the U.S. had “identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime” in Syria.

Such an attack “would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children,” White House press secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement, noting the activity is “similar to preparations the regime made before its April 4, 2017 chemical weapons attack.”

“As we have previously stated, the United States is in Syria to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.  If, however, Mr. Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price,” the White House added.

The administration in April launched a missile strike against a Syrian air base in response to a chemical attack that U.S. and Western officials have alleged was carried out by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad.