Last night, President Trump ordered a military strike against an airbase in Syria; this military action was taken without the authorization of congress. Trump executed his order after seeing a video in which chemical weapons, which is now speculated to be sarin gas, was used by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the town of Khan Shaykhun.
The use of chemical weapons, especially sarin, is banned under international law; the attack targeted a Syrian airbase where allegedly the planes used to implement the attack were stationed.
This attack is Trump's first military action, and unfortunately was taken in a state of emotional anger. I do not support's Assad's government or his use of chemical weapons, but further consdideration of the attack should have been taken first.
This attack has further pushed aggression between the US and Russia. Russia, opposing the claims by the United States and other nations, has defended Assad in claiming that the Syrian government holds no responsibility for the attack; Russia has a long history of defending Assad and has played an integral role in the destruction of Aleppo.
During the Obama administration and during his campaign, Trump repeatedly opposed any US-related intervention in Syria, but suddenly had a change of heart on the crisis in Syria. Trump spoke to the press saying how saddened he was by seeing the video of innocent men, women, and children suffering.
In a press conference, this afternoon, Trump said "the attack on children had a huge impact on me" explaining how his view on Syria has changed.
I urge Trump that if he is really concerned by the attacks on the lives of innocent civilians, men, women, and children, that he focuses on supporting Syrian refugees which is the most immediate effective way to protect the lives of Syrian civilians rather than starting a war with Syria and Russia.
Trump's own rhetoric has created hostility against Syrian refugees and has dehumanize the people of Syria; Trump, in his morning press conference, stated that he is "flexible as the world changes." I hope his flexibility leads to a compassionate embrace of refugees fleeing violence in Syria.
President Trump, I asked you to use your platform to try to undo the damage you have done., and create an immediate path for Syrian refugees in this country and our allies.