President Trump and the First Lady have made a surprise visit to Iraq to meet with U.S. troops and wish them a Merry Christmas and thank them for their service.
The President traveled late on Christmas night and arrived at AL Asad Air Force Base, where he was also joined by National Security Adviser John Bolton.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted today, “President Trump and the First Lady traveled to Iraq late on Christmas night to visit with our troops and Senior Military leadership to thank them for their service, their success, and their sacrifice and to wish them a Merry Christmas.”
President Trump and the First Lady traveled to Iraq late on Christmas night to visit with our troops and Senior Military leadership to thank them for their service, their success, and their sacrifice and to wish them a Merry Christmas. pic.twitter.com/s2hntnRwpw
— Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) December 26, 2018
.@FLOTUS Melania and I were honored to visit our incredible troops at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.! pic.twitter.com/rDlhITDvm1
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2018
AP reporter Jill Colvin tweeted that the President said during his visit that he had “no plans at all” to withdraw troops from Iraq.
BREAKING: Trump, during surprise visit to Iraq, says he has 'no plans at all' to withdraw U.S. troops from that country.
— Jill Colvin (@colvinj) December 26, 2018
Bloomberg reporter Jennifer Epstein tweeted that the President said of Syria, “It’s time for us to start using our head. We don’t want to be taken advantage of anymore.”
Trump used his visit to Iraq to defend pulling U.S. forces from Syria. “It’s time for us to start using our head. We don’t want to be taken advantage of anymore.” pic.twitter.com/YCYqicOv3s
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) December 26, 2018
Reuters reporter Steve Holland tweeted that the president also said, “Our presence in Syria was not open ended and it was never intended to be permanent.”
Trump using the surprise visit to defend his decision to pull troops from Syria:
“Our presence in Syria was not open ended and it was never intended to be permanent.” https://t.co/rDPHpsOpWy— Steve Holland (@steveholland1) December 26, 2018
