(RNN) – The United States, the United Kingdom and France launched air strikes against targets across Syria early Saturday, striking targets less than a week after a chemical weapons attack killed dozens of Syrian citizens.
The Trump administration, American allies in the operation and Congress took to social media in the aftermath.
Vice President Mike Pence
Tonight, at the order of @POTUS, U.S. Armed Forces, with Britain and France, launched strikes against chemical weapon sites in Syria. America and our allies will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons against men, women and children. God bless our courageous troops & allies.
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) April 14, 2018
British Prime Minister Teresa May
The Prime Minister @theresa_may has made a statement on Syria: https://t.co/bBfYyowUIo pic.twitter.com/QlTeFXmOkt
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 14, 2018
French President Emmanuel Macron
Translated: "On Saturday, 7 April 2018, in Duma, dozens of men, women and children were massacred with chemical weapons. The red line has been crossed."
Le samedi 7 avril 2018, à Douma, des dizaines d’hommes, de femmes et d’enfants ont été massacrés à l’arme chimique.
La ligne rouge a été franchie.
J’ai donc ordonné aux forces armées françaises d’intervenir. https://t.co/Vt9LcFcFzH pic.twitter.com/Dc726PHfAR— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 14, 2018
State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert
We thank our allies for their contributions and support. We pray for our troops as they carry out their mission, for those suffering in #Syria and for the region to bring a future of dignity and peace.
— Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) April 14, 2018
Syrian ally Russia was quick to condemn the strikes.
Russian Embassy in the United States
Statement by the Ambassador Antonov on the strikes on #Syria:
A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences.
All responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris. pic.twitter.com/QEmWEffUzx— Russia in USA ???? (@RusEmbUSA) April 14, 2018
Members of Congress called on President Donald Trump to seek their approval. Democrats were more vocal than their GOP counterparts.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, CA (D)y
We cannot allow #Syria’s use of chemical weapons. We also cannot allow an unhinged (or hinged) President to unilaterally take America to war. We can stop both. Go to Congress, @realDonaldTrump. Tell us length of time, # of troops, and terrain covered. Americans deserve a voice.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 14, 2018
Sen. Bob Casey, PA (D)
While Bashar al-Assad must be held accountable for his unlawful use of chemical weapons against civilians, the strikes that are being carried out are being done without an authorization from Congress, which is unacceptable
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) April 14, 2018
Sen. Tim Kaine, VA (D)
Trump’s decision to launch airstrikes against Syria without Congress’s approval is illegal. We need to stop giving presidents a blank check to wage war. Today it’s Syria, but what’s going to stop him from bombing Iran or North Korea next?
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) April 14, 2018
Sen. Mike Lee, UT (R)
My thoughts and prayers are with the American service men and women in harms way tonight. I look forward to hearing from the President about his strategy for Syria and whether he plans to seek authorization from Congress for any further use of force.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) April 14, 2018
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, CA (R)
The barbarism from the Assad regime will not be tolerated. America and its allies are together to deliver the consequences from such heinous action. God bless our men and women in uniform.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) April 14, 2018
Among the missiles and the politics, there was a spiritual component to the evening.
Rev. Franklin Graham
Tonight @POTUS @realDonaldTrump announced precision strikes against Syria in response to their use of chemical weapons—and he asked us to pray. 1/3
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) April 14, 2018
.@POTUS said “Say a prayer for our noble warriors and our allies as they carry out their missions...We pray that God will guide the whole region toward a future of dignity and of peace. And we pray that God will continue to watch over and bless the United States of America.” 2/3
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) April 14, 2018
I appreciate the fact that the president recognizes the need for prayer and the importance of prayer. Will you join me in doing what the president has asked--
and that is to pray? 3/3— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) April 14, 2018
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