Trump considers military action in Syria as recent attack ‘crosses a lot of lines for him’

US President Donald Trump reportedly considers military action in Syria following a chemical weapons strike. There is no final decision yet, but the president said he is exploring the option of military intervention as the recent attack had crossed lines for him.

At a Rose Garden press conference Wednesday, Trump said his view of how to handle the Syrian crisis changed after he saw the impact of the chemical attack, which he described as “horrific.” "Yesterday's chemical attack, a chemical attack that was so horrific in Syria against innocent people, including women, small children and even beautiful little babies- their deaths were an affront to humanity,” he told reporters.

Trump assured that such heinous actions could not be tolerated, and that the United States is one with its international allies in condemning the attacks. He added that what has taken place in Syria is a disgrace to humanity. “It is now my responsibility,” Trump declared.

Sen John McCain, R-Arizona, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, revealed that he and the POTUS had spoken by phone, in which the latter told him about his plans. McCain said Trump will consult with National Security Adviser General HR McMaster and Defence Secretary James Mattis regarding their options and come up with a decision. He believes that they will be able to provide him an “excellent recommendation,” but he has no idea what that recommendation might be, CBS News reports.

McCain added that he and Sen Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, recommends that the US ground the Syrian Air Force. He said those planes that commit war crimes by dropping nerve gas against innocent people should not be allowed to fly. He also blamed the administration of former US President Barack Obama for not doing anything about it.

Meanwhile, UN Ambassador Nikki Haley condemned the United Nations and hinted that US might hit back unilaterally against Syria. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov were engaged in a phone call Wednesday regarding the poison gas attack, in which the US reportedly blamed on the Russia-backed Syrian government according to a State Department official. Tillerson said that there would be no role for the Syrian president to preside over the country.

On Thursday, Turkish officials declared that the autopsy results on the victims of the attack proved that chemical weapon was used. During Obama’s term, the Russian government helped negotiate an agreement to eradicate chemical weapons from Syria.

Video Source: YouTube/The New York Times