Sunday Show Preview: Trump’s allies and administration defend decision on Syria

Allies of President Trump will be out in force on this week’s Sunday shows, as the Trump administration tries to do damage control over the president’s decision to pull American troops from Syria’s northeastern border.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper will appear on CBS’ “Face the Nation” and “Fox News Sunday.”

On Friday, Esper insisted that the U.S. was not abandoning Kurdish forces.

“To be clear, we are not abandoning our Kurdish partner forces and U.S. troops remain with them in other parts of Syria,” Esper said at the Pentagon.

“We oppose and are greatly disappointed by Turkey’s decision to launch a unilateral military incursion into northern Syria.”

Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will be on NBC’s Meet the Press to discuss the situation in Syria.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) will join Esper on “Face the Nation” while Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is set to appear on “Meet the Press.”

Several Democratic presidential candidates will also make rounds on the Sunday Shows.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg will be on CNN’s “State of the Union” and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who got back on the campaign trail this week after having heart surgery, will appear on ABC’s “Meet the Press.”

Here’s the full lineup, according to the Associated Press: 

ABC’s “This Week” — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.); Reps. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) and Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.)

NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.); Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.); former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.