Donald Trump Agrees To Slow Down Troop Withdrawal From Syria, Will Now Take 4 Months

Donald Trump stated on Dec. 19 he plans to swiftly withdraw United States troops from Syria. However, the president has since agreed to give the military about four months to bring its troops from Syria home.

Trump’s initial announcement was a move that many disapproved of, including those within his own party. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, spoke highly of the decision. Trump, at the time, cited the destruction of ISIS as a factor in this decision, although he has since changed that talking point to saying ISIS is “mostly gone.”

TRUMP can’t specify a timetable for Syria withdrawal, then says this about the country: “Look, we don’t want Syria… we’re talking about sand and death. That’s what we’re talking about. We’re not talking about vast wealth. We’re talking about sand and death.” pic.twitter.com/W2NgJsDCQi

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 2, 2019

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SLIDESHOW: DONALD TRUMP’S 30 CRAZIEST TWEETS

According to the New York Times, Trump had secretly spoken with Paul LaCamera, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, and gave him a few months to perform their withdrawal.

US President #Trump about #Syria:

– We lost it long before
– Kurdish YPG sells oil to Iran
– US Army leaving Syria
– USA still is going to protect YPG pic.twitter.com/SEY6f33T4n

— Ali Özkök – علي أزكوك (@Ozkok_) January 2, 2019

Officials tell me the notion that the new 120-day withdrawal schedule is a slowdown is nonsense; it’s the minimum amount of time neededhttps://t.co/rAzbGLqIZY

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 2, 2019

Trump explaining Syria withdrawal: “Syria was lost long ago. we’re not talking about vast wealth. we’re talking about sand and death”

— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) January 2, 2019

President Donald Trump: …”United States wants to protect Kurds in Syria even as it pulls forces out.” pic.twitter.com/jNcP0a30Ot

— Mutlu Civiroglu (@mutludc) January 2, 2019