Sen. John McCain knocked President Donald Trump after reports emerged that he is considering dismissing the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, CNN reports.
Trump reportedly expressed frustration with his military leaders during a White House meeting, apparently complaining that "we aren't winning, we are losing," according to NBC News.
"Gen. John Nicholson has served our country with honor and distinction for 35 years. He has earned the trust and admiration of those he has served with. And he has earned my full confidence," McCain said in a statement.
"Our commanders-in-chief, not our commanders in the field, are responsible for this failure," he added. "I urge the President to resolve the differences within his administration as soon as possible and decide on a policy and strategy that can achieve our national security interests in Afghanistan and the region."
Trump's deputy assistant, Sebastian Gorka, pushed back against these reports, saying that the president is "absolutely" confident of Nicholson's leadership.
"It is not a question of confidence, it is a question of inheriting bad ideas, false assumptions and reassessing what's good for America."
Gorka did admit that "nothing is carved in stone," and that "He wants everyone to look at the core assumptions upon which our plans are based, and say are these assumptions sound."
He added that "the key question . . . is what is the national security relevance of Afghanistan to this country? When that question is answered adequately then we'll know which options we should apply and the President will make the decision."
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