The news of targeted air strikes on a military base in Syria saw a mixed reaction from congressional Democrats on Twitter. Some supported the action, most disapproved.
Among those unhappy with President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb Syria was Former Hillary Clinton vice-presidential running mate, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine called the bombing “unconstitutional.”
President waging military action against Syria without a vote of Congress? Unconstitutional.
— Senator Tim Kaine (@timkaine) April 7, 2017
Though Kaine did want it known he does think Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a “brutal dictator,” he called the President’s action “unlawful.”
Assad is a brutal dictator who must be held account for atrocities. But the President’s failure to seek congressional approval is unlawful
— Senator Tim Kaine (@timkaine) April 7, 2017
Congresswoman Barbra Lee of California, who said the President needed to get approval from Congress before taking action.
This is an act of war. Congress needs to come back into session & hold a debate. Anything less is an abdication of our responsibility. https://t.co/GvHML3ByeI
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) April 7, 2017
Another California Democrat, Ted Lieu, said this puts U.S. troops in harm’s way.
Trump sent US ground troops to Syria last month purportedly to fight ISIS. Now our troops are at risk of being attacked by #Assad forces.
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 7, 2017
Arizona Democrat and Iraq war veteran Ruben Gallego wants to know what comes next.
What is the strategy here? What is our end goal? Why did we have to strike today? This is not how you conduct a military strike. https://t.co/owJc9Nz8GC
— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) April 7, 2017
Former Marine and Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton used the attack to criticize the President’s attempts to pause the refugee program.
So @POTUS cares enough about the Syrian people to launch 50 Tomahawks but not enough to let the victims of Assad find refuge & freedom here.
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) April 7, 2017
Michigan Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence was more subtle.
That feeling when a President governs in a manner entirely opposite to what he promised.
— Brenda Lawrence (@BrendaLLawrence) April 7, 2017
Senate Minority Leader Dick Durbin of Illinois called the attack “measured,” insisted any further action would require Congressional approval.
My statement on tonight’s U.S. missile strikes in Syria pic.twitter.com/nLcHq6jS01
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) April 7, 2017
Not all Democrats were upset by the President’s action. Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson voiced his support for the strikes.
I support the admin’s strike on the air base that launched the chemical attack. I hope this teaches Assad not to use chemical weapons again.
— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) April 7, 2017
This post will be updated as more reactions come in.