WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin said Friday he hopes to speak with President Donald Trump next week about his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria, something Manchin has called a miscalculation.
During an appearance Friday on MetroNews “Talkline,” Manchin said he considers himself to have a good relationship with President Trump but that doesn’t mean he can’t disagree with him.
“This is not about liking or disliking the president,” Manchin said. “I love my country and if I like the president and I think he’s doing something wrong I think I have a right, an obligation and a responsibility to say, ‘Mr. President, this is totally, totally in the wrong direction.'”
The removal of U.S. troops has put Kurdish allies in harm’s way, Manchin said. The senator believes he can form a bipartisan group to approach Trump about reversing his decision.
“I think we could have a group of Democrats and Republicans go to the president and say, ‘Mr. President, please reconsider,'” Manchin said. “A stabilizing force in Syria not allowing our allies to get annihilated, I think, sends a very strong message.”
Manchin said the decision to leave Syria puts other alliances and partnerships in jeopardy. He said the U.S. leads the way when it comes to peace efforts. He said they must stay in the region.
“There’s not another country that’s involved, whether it be Russia, whether it be China, Iran or anyone else that desires world peace and has been looked upon to be a negotiator for peace and if we walk away like we care less it leaves the whole world in chaos,” Manchin said.