Trump’s former ISIS envoy slams Syria decision: ‘Donald Trump is not a Commander-in-Chief’

President Trump’s former ISIS envoy on Monday slammed the decision to pull U.S. troops out of northern Syria, calling the president “impulsive” and claiming the move will help Russia, Iran and ISIS. 

“Donald Trump is not a Commander-in-Chief. He makes impulsive decisions with no knowledge or deliberation,” Brett McGurk tweeted. “He sends military personnel into harm’s way with no backing. He blusters and then leaves our allies exposed when adversaries call his bluff or he confronts a hard phone call.”

Donald Trump is not a Commander-in-Chief. He makes impulsive decisions with no knowledge or deliberation. He sends military personnel into harm’s way with no backing. He blusters and then leaves our allies exposed when adversaries call his bluff or he confronts a hard phone call.

— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) October 7, 2019

{mosads}McGurk, who also served under former Presidents Obama and George W. Bush, in other posts criticized the White House’s announcement late Sunday that it would pull U.S. troops out of northern Syria ahead of a Turkish attack. The U.S. had more than 1,000 troops in the region, where they worked closely with the Kurdish-led forces against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. 

“Turkey has neither the intent, desire, nor capacity to manage 60k detainees in al Hol camp, which State and DoD IGs warn is the nucleus for a resurgent ISIS,” McGurk said. “Believing otherwise is a reckless gamble with our national security.” 

McGurk also said Trump made a “similarly impulsive decision” when he served in the administration, which led to his resignation. 

“Tonight is a sad replay but seems even worse as US officials had since convinced the SDF that we planned to stay,” he said. 

“There’s a similar defect at the core of US foreign policies across the board: maximalist objectives for a minimalist president combined with no process to assess facts, develop options, or prepare contingencies. Our personnel are left exposed at the slightest moment of friction,” he added. 

“Bottom line: Trump tonight after one call with a foreign leader provided a gift to Russia, Iran, and ISIS.”

Trump doubled down on his decision Monday in a series of tweets in which he said it is time to remove the U.S. from “ridiculous endless wars.”

“WE WILL FIGHT WHERE IT IS TO OUR BENEFIT, AND ONLY FIGHT TO WIN,” the president said. 

McGurk responded by saying Trump should meet with experts before making “historic life-or-death” decisions.

“Making such decisions after a one-off call from a foreign leader is malpractice,” he added.

Mr. President: With all due respect, none of this is true. I’d recommend having meetings with your experts and policy team before making historic life-and-death decisions. Making such decisions after a one-off call from a foreign leader is malpractice. https://t.co/MtBp5PM88H

— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) October 7, 2019

Updated at 11:01 a.m.