President Donald Trump says he is going to ramp up the number of troops in Afghanistan during a much-anticipated speech laying out his plan for U.S. involvement there. But lawmakers are debating about the president's announcement.
- Most Republicans back Trump
- Democrats raise questions about plan
- Trump says he will not release details
- RELATED: President Trump unveils shift in Afghanistan policy
Trump admitted he went against his original instinct by increasing the U.S.'s presence in Afghanistan. Although he insisted he would “not talk about numbers of troops” or telegraph military moves in advance, he hinted that he had embraced the Pentagon’s proposal to boost troop numbers by nearly 4,000, augmenting the roughly 8,400 Americans there now.
Lawmakers had a lot to say about the announcement. Many Republicans seemed to mostly back up his plan.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell commended both the president and his security team.
"Tonight President Trump reaffirmed to the American people the painful lesson glaringly brought to our shores on September 11, 2001: the United States cannot permit terrorist organizations such as ISIL, al Qaeda or its affiliates to train, recruit and plot from ungoverned sanctuaries — whether within Afghanistan, in the tribal areas of Pakistan, or anywhere else. I commend the President and his national security team for a thoughtful review of our engagement in the region," McConnell said in a statement.
Florida Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio said the strategy was put together the right way.
#AfghanStrategy laid out by @POTUS was put together the right way. Careful review & consideration of multiple views & ideas. Very good.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 22, 2017
While Democrat Florida U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson seemed somewhat neutral.
"In the short run, the Afghan government has been overrun by terrorists and needs to be strengthened temporarily. In the long run, the Afghans must protect their own people and the U.S. troops should exit the country as soon as practical," Nelson commented in a statement.
But many Democrats disagree with the president's strategy.
The only new strategy announced tonight was that strategy will no longer be announced.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) August 22, 2017
President Trump’s speech on Afghanistan policy was low on details but raises serious questions about the future. https://t.co/I3pz1h5LtW
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) August 22, 2017
Trump would not detail the number of Troops that would be sent when asked by reporters.
"We will not talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities," Trump said in the announcement. "Conditions on the ground, not arbitrary timetables, will guide our strategy from now on. America's enemies must never know our plans or believe they can wait us out. I will not say when we are going to attack, but attack we will."
On one point — the definition of victory — Trump was unequivocal. He said American troops would “fight to win” by attacking enemies, “crushing” al-Qaida, preventing terror attacks against Americans and “obliterating” the Islamic State group, whose affiliate has gained a foothold in Afghanistan as the U.S. squeezes the extremists in Syria and Iraq.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.