Romney Criticizes Trump’s Decision to Withdraw Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) is making it clear he disapproves of President Donald Trump’s efforts to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.

During his appearance on an episode of CNN’s “The Axe Files” podcast, Romney explained how Trump’s removal of more troops only puts other troops in “jeopardy.”

“We have some 40 coalition members that also have troops there. For us to pull our troops out obviously puts our remaining troops in some danger, as well as their troops,” Romney said.

He added, “And they wonder, ‘How do we deal in a coalition with the United States leading it if there is a decision taken on a precipitous basis with which we may or may not have been familiar that puts our troops in jeopardy?'”

Romney then argued, “The consequences of what’s happening during this lame-duck period, I think, are potentially more severe than the consequences associated with a late transition process.”

Listen to the interview below:

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Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller announced Tuesday the Trump administration is planning to decrease the number of troops in Afghanistan from around 4,500 to 2,500.

In regards to Iraq, the number of troops will drop from approximately 3,000 to 2,500.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also voiced his opposition to Trump’s decision, as IJR previously reported.

“We’re playing a limited —limited — but important role in defending American national security and American interests against terrorists who would like nothing more than for the most powerful force for good in the world to simply pick up our ball and go home. They would love that,” McConnell said on the Senate floor Monday.

He continued, “A rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan now would hurt our allies and delight the people who wish us harm. Violence affecting Afghans is still rampant. The Taliban is not abiding by the conditions of the so-called peace deal.”