Military Leaders, Congress Praise Trump’s ‘Inspiring’ Afghanistan Speech

If you had forgotten what a true commander-in-chief looks and sounds like over the past eight years, you could reasonably be forgiven.

Former president Obama used a military strategy in Afghanistan that involved arbitrary timelines, ignoring generals on the ground, choosing politics over wise strategy, and leading from behind.

President Trump, however, delivered a speech addressing a new strategy in Afghanistan that military leaders and members of Congress alike have universally praised.

Trump outlined a comprehensive new military strategy that would focus efforts on killing terrorists, not nation-building, and establish “lasting peace” in the region.

“From now on, victory will have a clear definition: attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing Al Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan, and stopping mass terror attacks against America,” Trump announced, in his address to the nation.

Here is just some of the reaction to the President’s speech:

Former General Jack Keane:

“I’m impressed because we finally got a commander-in-chief who speaks honestly not just to the troops in front them … but he spoke so honestly to the American people. And we’ve had this political deception for such a long time dealing with Afghanistan and you put your finger on it …”

Speaker Paul Ryan praised Trump’s “principled realism” and his comprehensive Afghanistan strategy that breaks with 16-years of “convoluted” strategies.

Fox News’ Bret Baier said that during the speech, he was receiving messages from current and former special forces members saying President Trump’s speech is the one they’ve been waiting to hear.

“And as the speech was happening, I was getting messages from current and former special-forces members who said this is the speech that they wanted to hear: the power, the resolve, the pride, the courage and the commitment to let them do their job.”

Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling praised President Trump’s conditions-based strategy, saying it’s “something that I think most of my colleagues, most military professionals would say we should have done in the past.”

Senator Lindsey Graham, of all people, repeatedly praised Trump’s speech by saying how “proud” he was of his decision making.

“I am very pleased, very thoughtful, very inspiring speech and I can assure you a lot of people in Congress will be behind the president.”

In short, military leaders, special forces members, and congressional members all seem to be in line with President Trump.

You’ve now seen what true leadership looks like. Let’s hope this plan works and the situation in Afghanistan is restored after it had been turned into a disaster by Obama’s ‘leading from behind’ strategy.

How did you feel about President Trump’s speech? Share your thoughts below.

Rusty Weiss has been covering politics for over 15 years. His writings have appeared in the Daily Caller, Fox... More about Rusty Weiss

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