Congressman issues statement on Trump action

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, has voiced his support for U.S. strikes in Syria.

Johnson responded to President Donald Trump’s announcement on Friday that U.S. and international partners had launched the campaign against targets in the Middle Eastern nation.

“America is the guardian of the gate of freedom, and we carry the banner of liberty for the world,” Johnson said in a news release. “Around the globe, people were wondering what our response to the barbarism of the (Bashar al-)Assad regime would be. Innocent men, women, and children were gassed with chemical weapons – the use of these weapons must not be tolerated anywhere.”

Johnson said the partnership with allies in launching the strikes was the right approach.

“Tonight’s strikes were conducted with international partners, and reflect President Trump’s commitment to restoring America’s leadership and bringing Assad — and those that back him — to justice,” he said. “We are sending a clear message — the U.S. and our allies will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons, and Russia and Iran must end their support for Assad, a designated state sponsor of terrorism.”