Trump Opposed Striking Syria In 2013 But Now Says Obama Should Have Done It

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he would not be putting boots on the ground in Syria, trying to tamp down concern that the recent U.S. airstrike against President Bashar Assads forces was a precursor to greater involvement.

Were not going into Syria, Trump told Fox Business Network. But when I see people using horrible, horrible chemical weapons which they agreed not to use under the Obama administration, but they violated it. ... What I did shouldve been done by the Obama administration a long time before I did it. And you wouldve I think Syria wouldve been a lot better off than it has been.

Despite his comments Tuesday, Trump repeatedly advocated against President Barack Obama intervening in Syria in 2013.

Why do we keep broadcasting when we are going to attack Syria. Why can't we just be quiet and, if we attack at all, catch them by surprise?

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Why do we keep broadcasting when we are going to attack Syria. Why can't we just be quiet and, if we attack at all, catch them by surprise?
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013

@walaa_3ssaf No, dopey, I would not go into Syria, but if I did it would be by surprise and not blurted all over the media like fools.

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@walaa_3ssaf No, dopey, I would not go into Syria, but if I did it would be by surprise and not blurted all over the media like fools.
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013

AGAIN, TO OUR VERY FOOLISH LEADER, DO NOT ATTACK SYRIA - IF YOU DO MANY VERY BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN & FROM THAT FIGHT THE U.S. GETS NOTHING!

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AGAIN, TO OUR VERY FOOLISH LEADER, DO NOT ATTACK SYRIA - IF YOU DO MANY VERY BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN & FROM THAT FIGHT THE U.S. GETS NOTHING!
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2013

President Obama, do not attack Syria. There is no upside and tremendous downside. Save your \"powder\" for another (and more important) day!

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President Obama, do not attack Syria. There is no upside and tremendous downside. Save your "powder" for another (and more important) day!
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2013

In August 2013, the Assad regime allegedly carried out a sarin gas attack that killed 1,400 Syrians . Obama appeared ready to respond quickly with limited airstrikes, a variation of what Trump did, but he failed to secure enough international and domestic support for the action. A turning point was when the British Parliament voted down the United Kingdoms participation, leading Obama to decide that he also needed to secure congressional approval. But when a successful vote appeared doubtful, the White House dropped the airstrike plans.

Obama also worried about whether a limited strike would truly damage Assads regime and about the consequences of starting down the slippery slope to deeper involvement.

The Trump administration has been having its own struggles on Syria and what to do next. On Sunday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said last weeks strike was related solely to the most recent horrific use of chemical weapons, while U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley stated on television, Theres not any sort of option where a political solution is going to happen with Assad at the head of the regime.

In 2013, Trump also said Obama needed to go before Congress to get approval before striking Syria. Trump did not do this for last weeks strike.

The President must get Congressional approval before attacking Syria-big mistake if he does not!

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The President must get Congressional approval before attacking Syria-big mistake if he does not!
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2013

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