HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Republican lawmakers are applauding President Trump’s plans for the war in Afghanistan.
On Monday President Trump said conditions on the ground, not timetables, would guide U.S. policy for America’s longest war. Trump added that his initial instinct was to pull U.S. troops from Afghanistan, but he now believes the situation will only get worse if that happens.
St. Joseph Congressman Fred Upton told WHTC News that this is the least objectionable of all the different options that are on the plate.
” It’s no big increase in troops which I think a lot of folks would have been opposed to. If he had pulled them out of there would have real trouble and immediate collapse of the government there. I think the idea is that we are going to buy some time, a small infusion of troops, try to stabilize things and try to put some pressure on Pakistan.This is a lesson not only for this part of the world, but for the rest of the world. We can’t be doing this on our own. We need to rely on our allies. We need to try and help coordinate efforts because us doing it on our own just doesn’t seem to work. So let’s buy some time, get Pakistan on board to try and help a little bit more so that we can see the end of the day that we’ve actually got troops there a year or two down the road.”
Zeeland Congressman Bill Huizenga released this statement:
“President Trump’s decision to change the rules of engagement for our troops and allow them to take the fight to the enemy is the right choice. Conditions on the ground should determine how our military conducts operations, not politicians dealing with artificial political deadlines. Additionally, I am encouraged to hear President Trump discuss his plan to strengthen strategic partnerships in the region, while also decisively stating that nations who provide safe harbor for terrorists to launch attacks on our troops, allies, and citizens will no longer be ignored. In order to defeat terrorism, we must employ a strategy that utilizes our economic strength, embraces skilled diplomacy, and provides our men and women in uniform with the resources and flexibility necessary to complete their mission.”
Senator John McCain released a statement applauding Trump for “taking a big step in the right direction.”
