Democrats: Trump needs Congress approval for broader Syria effort

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US President Donald Trump's announcement on Friday of air strikes in Syria triggered swift warnings from opposition Democrat that any broader military campaign there would require a well-formulated strategic vision – and authorization from Congress.

Trump said US forces launched "precision" strikes against Syrian targets, and that the United States would "sustain this response until Syria stops its use of prohibited chemical agents."

US President Donald Trump arrives to announce military strikes on Syria during a statement at the White House in Washington, US, April 13, 2018. /VCG Photo

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi led calls for Trump to map out a detailed plan and present it to Congress if he wants to expand military action.

"One night of air strikes is no substitute for a coherent strategy," Pelosi said in a statement.

Trump "must come to Congress to obtain a new AUMF (authorization for use of military force), present a clear set of objectives & ultimately hold Putin accountable for the bloodshed he has enabled," she added, referring to President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

US military forces have largely been operating under AUMFs passed by Congress shortly after the 9/11 attacks to conduct operations against extremist groups like the ISIL in Iraq and Syria..

US House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks to members of the media at the Capitol, Washington, DC, Feb. 7, 2018. /VCG Photo

Some Democrats like Senator Tim Kaine, the party's vice-presidential nominee in 2016, said although last week's deadly apparent chemical attack was an abomination, Trump's air strikes were illegal.

"The last thing Congress should be doing is giving this President a blank check to wage war against anyone, anywhere. We need to put clear limits in place before he starts another war," said Kaine.

"Today, it's a strike on Syria – what's going to stop him from bombing Iran or North Korea (DPRK) next?"

Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, speaks during a meeting on tax reform and election results at the Capitol, Washington, DC, US, Nov. 8, 2017. /VCG Photo

Congressman Eric Swalwell reminded that Trump launched missile strikes without congressional approval against a Syrian air field last year.

"What's changed? Zero. They're still using chemical weapons," he said. "This is the result of a failure to have a strategy and engage Middle East countries to solve this problem."

Republican lawmakers largely backed the assault.

"The precision targeting of military targets are needed in the fight of good versus evil, a fight of the United States versus the dark edge of humanity," Senator Cory Gardner said.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., attends a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing in the Capitol Visitor Center, May 23, 2017. /VCG Photo

But some libertarian Republicans, notably congressman Justin Amash, expressed full-throated opposition.

"These offensive strikes against Syria are unconstitutional, illegal, and reckless," Amash said, adding that the next House Speaker who succeeds the outgoing Paul Ryan should "reclaim congressional war powers."

Source(s): AFP