Graham: Trump ‘putting the nation at risk’ with Syria pullout

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a key ally of President Trump, doubled down on his criticism of the pullout of U.S. troops from northern Syria, saying Trump is putting the nation and his presidency at risk.

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

{mosads}Graham told the news outlet that the move is “worse than when Obama left Iraq, because you’ve got so much information as to what happens.”

“This would be a game changer to our national security. This would pave the way to the reemergence of ISIS,” he said. 

“If I hear the president say one more time, ‘I made a campaign promise to get out of Syria,’ I’m going to throw up,” he added. 

Graham also said that Trump is “creating a bigger war if he does not change course.”

The White House announced late Sunday that Turkey would go ahead with a long-threatened offensive in northern Syria and that U.S. troops would not be in the “immediate area” when it happens.

Graham previously tweeted that the decision was a “disaster in the making.”

“Ensures ISIS comeback. Forces Kurds to align with [Syrian President Bashar] Assad and Iran. Destroys Turkey’s relationship with U.S. Congress. Will be a stain on America’s honor for abandoning the Kurds,” he wrote.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have criticized Trump’s decision.