In a recent public statement at the White House this week, President Trump expressed his desire to pull U.S. troops out of war-torn Syria and bring them home. Of course, the hypocritical liberal media became enraged and threw up their arms in protest. During their Wednesday evening broadcasts, CBS and NBC were sure to voice their contempt for the idea by arguing there was so more to be done. CBS Evening News even declared it a “retreat” order by the President.
“President Trump wants to be out of Syria in a matter of months, which goes against military advice he received from Defense Secretary James Mattis and Joint Chiefs Chairman Joseph Dunford,” complained CBS News National Security correspondent David Martin. As he spoke, a headline declaring “Military Urges Pres. Trump Against Syria Retreat” was emblazoned on the screen. “Syria Retreat” also appeared above anchor Jeff Glor’s shoulder during his introduction to the segment.
Martin noted that the military thought it would only take another two months to drive ISIS out of their last remaining strongholds. But he also admitted that “offensive operations have now bogged down as U.S. backed fighters have left the front lines to return to their families.”
“Even if those last pockets of resistance are eventually eliminated, that will not produce what [Gen.] Votel calls a lasting victory over ISIS,” Martin added and went on to note what sounded like future nation-building efforts. Just what a war-weary and cash-strapped country didn’t want to hear.
“President Trump seems determined to leave that military role and the cost of rebuilding to others, in particular, Saudi Arabia,” Martin seemed to huff. “The U.S. military had always intended to leave Syria once ISIS was defeated, but now we'll have to come up with a plan to get out sooner rather than later.”
Meanwhile, on NBC Nightly News, Chief Foreign Affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell was noticeably irritated and bitter. “Mission accomplished,” she chided in a mocking throwback to President Bush’s declaration about the War in Iraq. “As the war drags on, the President telling the Pentagon to finish the battle. Even though the military argues ISIS is still a threat, according to two U.S. officials.”
“Tonight, military advisers scrambling to prevent the President from ceding the battlefield to Russia and Iran whose leaders were meeting on Syria today,” Mitchell warned despite her network’s cozy relationship with Iran.
Mitchell brought on Clinton administration drug policy director General Barry McCaffrey (Ret.) to claim Trump was doing the Iranians a favor (of course, she failed to properly disclose his former position). “Nothing could be more attractive certainly to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards than to have the president of the United States saying we're on the verge of pulling out. You own the country,” he opined.
This is the epitome of the liberal media’s hypocrisy on foreign affairs. When President Obama pulled out of Iraq against the advice of his generals, he was praised, but now that the roles are reversed they are disgusted by President Trump.
Transcripts below, click expand to read:
CBS Evening News
April 4, 2018
6:38:24 PM Eastern [1 minute 40 seconds]JEF GLOR: Now we go over to the Pentagon where David Martin has the latest on the President's plan for U.S. troops in Syria. It is creating a split in his administration.
[Cuts to video]
[On screen headline: Military Urges Pres. Trump Against Syria Retreat]
DAVID MARTIN: President Trump wants to be out of Syria in a matter of months, which goes against military advice he received from Defense Secretary James Mattis and Joint Chiefs Chairman Joseph Dunford. The U.S. military had estimated it would take two more months of fighting to drive ISIS out of the towns it still holds look the Euphrates river valley, all that's left of the so-called caliphate.
GEN, JOSEPH VOTEL: Well over 90 percent of the caliphate that they control, particularly in the north and eastern portions of the country, has been liberated.
MARTIN: But General Joseph Votel, commander of American forces in the Middle East, said offensive operations have now bogged down as U.S. backed fighters have left the front lines to return to their families. Even if those last pocket of resistance are eventually eliminated, that will not produce what Votel calls a lasting victory over ISIS.
VOTEL: The hard part I think is in front of us, and that is stabilizing these areas, consolidating our gains. Of course, there is a military role in this.
MARTIN: President Trump seems determined to leave that military role and the cost of rebuilding to others, in particular, Saudi Arabia. But so far, without success.
DONALD TRUMP: It is very costly for our country, and it helps other countries a hell of a lot more than it helps us.
[Cuts back to live]
MARTIN: The U.S. military had always intended to leave Syria once ISIS was defeated, but now we'll have to come up with a plan to get out sooner rather than later. Jeff.
GLOR: David Martin at the Pentagon, thanks.
NBC Nightly News
April 4, 2018
7:14:30 PM Eastern [1 minute 51 seconds]LESTER HOLT: The U.S. will keep troops in Syria in the fight against ISIS at least for now according to U.S. officials. But President Trump who expressed his desire to withdraw from Syria just a day ago is at odds with his military advisers over how long to stay. NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell has the story.
[Cuts to video]
ANDREA MITCHELL: Mission accomplished? As the war drags on, the President telling the Pentagon to finish the battle. Even though the military argues ISIS is still a threat, according to two U.S. officials. A contentious national security meeting after the President declared Tuesday –
DONALD TRUMP: I want to get out. I want to bring our troops back home.
MITCHELL: Even as his top commander for the region was saying it is too soon.
GEN. JOESPH VOTEL: The hard part I think is in front of us and that is stabilizing these areas. Consolidating our gains.
MITCHELL: Tonight military advisers scrambling to prevent the President from ceding the battlefield to Russia and Iran whose leaders were meeting on Syria today.
GEN. BARRY MCCAFFREY: Nothing could be more attractive certainly to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards than to have the president of the United States saying we're on the verge of pulling out. You own the country.
MITCHELL: Two U.S. officials tell NBC News the President reluctantly agreeing to keep troops in Syria, asking, “how much more time do you need? Six months, a year?” The White House later saying: "The military mission to eradicate ISIS in Syria is coming to a rapid end with ISIS being almost completely destroyed." Not true, say current and former officials. ISIS is not defeated and another terror threat looms.
NICK RASMUSSEN: Al Qaeda's global leadership has begun to shift from Afghanistan and Pakistan to Syria. Taking advantage of the conflict, taking advantage of the chaos.
[Cuts back to live]
MITCHELL: The President telling advisers Saudi Arabia will take over and is pledging $4 billion so U.S. troops can come home. Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, Washington.
