But before December, Nigerien officials were not allowing U.S. The Niger mission originally did have ISR drone coverage. So we have beefed up a lot of things posture wise with regard to these forces.” “But it provides adequate and more resourceful force protection measures in order to still keep up with the enemy forces on the ground. “And what this has done is it’s allowed these teams perhaps to not to do the tempo that they would like,” he added. AFP PHOTO / DOMINIQUE FAGET (Photo credit should read DOMINIQUE FAGET/AFP/Getty Images) Operation Barkhane is an anti-Islamist operation in Africa's Sahel region beginning in July 2014 which consists of a 3,000-strong French force. “Individuals claiming former Presidents, such as their bosses, called each family of the fallen, are mistaken.French soldiers of the aerial detachment of the Operation Barkhane stand guard near a Reaper drone about to take off from the Nigerian military airport Diori Hamani in Niamey on January 2, 2015. “This President, like his predecessors, has done each of these,” Sanders went on. Sometimes they call, sometimes they send a letter, other times they have the opportunity to meet family members in person.” “When American heroes make the ultimate sacrifice, Presidents pay their respects. “The President wasn’t criticizing predecessors, but stating a fact,” Sanders said in a statement. Responding to the backlash, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders insisted that Trump wasn’t intending to criticize former commanders in chief “Trump’s jaw-dropping, disrespectful lie is not based anywhere in reality and is another symptom of a deep-seated obsession with tearing down President Obama.” “The commander in chief told a totally irresponsible and disgusting lie in the Rose Garden today, claiming past presidents did not call the families of fallen servicemembers,” said a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, Brian Gabriel. Dustin Wright, adding he bore no ill-will toward Trump.Īfter Trump’s remarks on Monday, former Obama officials and other Democrats sharply criticized his remarks about his predecessors, calling them insensitive. “It’s been the furthest thing from my mind and the minds of my family,” said Will Wright, the brother of Staff Sgt. The brother of one of the men killed said on Monday that hearing from Trump was not high on his list of priorities. The White House has said little about Trump’s involvement in the proceedings, and he did not travel to Dover Air Force Base for the return of the soldiers’ bodies to the United States. Troops were left for nearly an hour before help could arrive to the remote area they were operating. Officials briefed on the Niger raid have described to CNN a scene of confusion and uncertainty in the immediate aftermath of the incident. “It gets to a point where you make four to five of them in one day, it is a very, very tough day.” “It is a very difficult thing,” Trump said. The White House press secretary said previously the administration was still reviewing the circumstances around the mission. Trump’s remarks Monday marked the first time he’s commented at all – in person or on Twitter – about the Green Berets and US support personnel who were slain around the October 4 raid. “I was told that he didn’t often, and a lot of presidents don’t. “I don’t know if he did,” he said of Obama. New details on deadly ambush in Niger that left 4 soldiers dead Lead barbara starr DNT jake tapper_00010207.jpg When pressed about his assertion, Trump backtracked slightly. Bush also wrote letters to families of troops killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which began during his tenure. He also made frequent visits to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to spend time with wounded troops. “I like, when I can, the combination of a call and also a letter,” he said.īarack Obama, during his term in office, wrote letters and made calls to families of killed Americans, according to former administration officials. “Other presidents did not call, they would write letters, and some presidents didn’t do anything.” “All I can do is ask my generals,” Trump said. He then claimed that other commanders in chief hadn’t reached out to families of Americans killed in action, indicating he’d been told as much by the generals who serve in his administration. It is the toughest calls I have to make are the calls where this happens, soldiers are killed.” “I felt very, very badly about that,” Trump said during a press availability in the Rose Garden. Trump silent as questions remain over deadly Niger ambush
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |