Syrian Rebels Take Damascus – What Should the U.S. Response Be?

Syrian rebels took over Damascus and freed thousands of prisoners amid Syrian President Bashar Assad fleeing to Russia for asylum. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is taking credit for the dictator being exiled.

Over the weekend, President Trump voiced his hesitancy to get the U.S. involved in the chaos in Damascus: “Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!”

ACLJ Senior Advisor for National Security and Foreign Policy Ric Grenell explained why Trump’s strategy is correct:

President Trump is exactly right. We need to let it play out a little bit. We don’t need to get involved. We do have troops there, and I think the Biden team needs to hear President Trump loudly and clearly that we don’t need to be using our troops. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t be diplomatic leaders and have the State Department be able to do its job in our embassies and around the world. And we should play a leadership role without playing a military role.

Ric also asserted that the incoming Trump Administration will be better equipped to handle the events in Syria because Trump deals with legitimate threats, not abstract ones. He will wait until a real threat emerges before taking any action involving U.S. troops.

Trump also blamed the weekend’s events on former President Barack Obama for failing to abide by his infamous “red line” with Assad. The Syrian civil war began 14 years ago during Obama’s presidency, and Russia gained a stronger foothold in the region because of Obama’s weak foreign policies. And, of course, the Biden-Harris Administration only worsened international diplomacy in the Middle East.

We will be closely monitoring how the Trump Administration handles what transpires in Syria. Assad being ousted could create a power vacuum, and we want to make sure that a terrorist group like ISIS (which President Trump defeated soon after taking office) doesn’t return.

We also discussed the breaking news that a jury declared Marine vet Daniel Penny not guilty of the chokehold death of Jordan Neely while defending other passengers in a New York City subway. Because of Penny’s actions, other innocent lives were likely saved. It’s refreshing to see – even in New York City – a jury render the correct verdict after being presented with clear evidence of a young man stepping up to protect others.

Today’s Sekulow broadcast included a full analysis of the chaotic events taking place in Damascus and the jury rightfully declaring Penny not guilty.

Watch the full broadcast below: