WASHINGTON — (INT) - Congressional Democrats blasted President Donald Trump for circumventing Congress in authorizing U.S. strikes against Syria, calling it "unconstitutional" and questioning the strategy.

Many Republicans, on the other hand, applauded the president's move.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who has pushed Congress to pass a new authorization for the use of military force, deemed the president's action "illegal" because he proceeded without approval from lawmakers.

"President Trump's decision to launch airstrikes against the Syrian government without Congress's approval is illegal and — absent a broader strategy — it's reckless,” Kaine, the 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee, said in a statement.

Riverside Democratic Congressman Mark Takano, the vice ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, declared “President Trump’s decision to use military force in Syria without a coherent strategy and without authorization of Congress is irresponsible and unacceptable. I have repeatedly called on my colleagues to consider an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) that defines the scope and purpose of our military action for the first time since 2001. This debate is long overdue,” Takano said.

Story Date: April 16, 2018