The Trump administration announced Monday that it will give U.S. troops about four months to leave Syria, reversing the president’s controversial previous plan to withdraw all U.S. forces from the region in 30 days, The New York Times reports. After facing near-overwhelming pushback for his original plan—including the scathing retirement of Secretary of Defense James Mattis—Trump decided to reverse course, reportedly telling generals during his Christmastime trip to Iraq that troops would have months to withdraw. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also hinted at Monday’s announcement on Sunday, telling reporters that “we’re in a pause situation” when it comes to pulling out of Syria. The Times reports that the new plan will still allow Trump to accomplish his goal of extricating the U.S. from wars abroad, but will temper the fury of many GOP officials—including Senator Graham, who called the 30-day pullout plan a “disaster” and a “stain on the honor of the United States.”
