Senator Ted Cruz has expressed his support for Thursday’s U.S. missile strikes in Syria, saying that President Trump had every right to take the action given the exigent circumstances. However, Cruz cautioned that the president should seek approval from Congress before any more protracted military plans are carried out.
Appearing on Fox News with Shannon Bream, Cruz said:
Syria is a humanitarian disaster. It is a total mess. After eight years of Obama’s broken redlines and weakness, we have seen Syria turned into a war zone that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of refugees and chemical weapons, it is a bad situation.
That being said, the authority to declare war under the Constitution is given to Congress. The commander-in-chief acted last night, and I look forward to President Trump making the case to the American people and to Congress to see what further military action should be taken, if any.
Asked if he thought the president had the constitutional power to strike Syria, Cruz answered:
It has long been recognized that the commander-in-chief can respond to exigent circumstances, can respond to immediate threats. There’s a difference between that, a single strike in an exigent circumstance, versus engaging in prolonged military conflict.
Cruz added:
The only thing bad actors across the globe respect is strength.
With eight years of Barack Obama as president, what we saw was a weak president whose word did not mean anything. Our friends did not trust us, and our enemies did not fear us.
I will say that I am encouraged in the opening months of the Trump Administration about foreign policy and national security. The team that has been assembled is an excellent team. Secretary Mattis is a legendary war fighter. General McMaster in the National Security Council is a very well respected strategist.
I think for dealing with Russia and Putin, having a strong president who Putin has reason to fear, I think that is a step in the right direction.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member