Following President Donald Trump’s speech outlining his plan to increase the US military’s presence in Afghanistan, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina praised Trump’s blueprint on hopefully ending America’s longest war on Monday.
“I will fight … tooth and nail to make sure that we do not lose in Afghanistan like we did in Iraq,” Graham said on Fox News. “It’s just exactly what President Obama did in Iraq, was to leave against sound military advice.”
“President Trump has the smarts and the moral courage to listen to his generals and take their advice rather than going the political way,” Graham continued. “And I’m so proud he did because unlike Obama, President Trump is listening to his generals.”
But Graham’s comments took a more harrowing tone when he warned colleagues who may criticize Trump’s plan.
“And to my colleagues in Congress, you will own a “no” vote,” Graham said. “The next 9/11 will be your fault, not President Trump’s fault, if you shoot down this plan because this is a solid plan.
Although Trump did not mention exact numbers for his troop increase proposal, multiple reports say he plans on sending 4,000 troops, in addition to the 8,400 that are already deployed to Afghanistan. During his speech, Trump also stressed that the US would not be “nation-building again,” but instead, would be “killing terrorists.”
“This will turn things around in Afghanistan — it’s putting Pakistan on notice,” Graham continued. “I have a lot of confidence this will work, but it won’t be easy. They will try to break our will.”
“And to President Trump, you’ve shown the will to stand up to radical Islam, But my friend, they’re gonna come after us, they’re gonna try to break your will. Don’t let them. Stick with it.”
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