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Amash: Trump Using Troops Like 'Mercenaries' In Middle East

justin amash shakes hands with supporters
Rep. Justin Amash, I-Mich.,  greets the crowd  on Aug. 21, 2019. (Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)

By    |   Sunday, 20 October 2019 10:31 AM EDT

President Donald Trump is using American troops like “paid mercenaries” in the Middle East, Rep. Justin Amash, I-Mich., charged Sunday.

In an interview on NBC News’ “Meet The Press,” Amash, who has been a frequent GOP critic of Trump, said "It's pretty clear he’s not bringing home the troops. He's just moving them to other parts of the Middle East."

“He's moving other troops into Saudi Arabia,” he said. “And he’s using our forces almost as mercenaries... paid mercenaries.”

“As long as Saudi Arabia pays us money, it's good to go,” he added.

“What happened to the American people having their voices heard through their representatives in Congress?” he said. “We should make those decisions in Congress, and frankly, we have been in the Middle East for way too long. We have been in Afghanistan for obviously way too long and we should bring people home.”

Amash also criticized the president’s strategy regarding Turkey.

“You don't wait until after withdrawing the troops to make a plan to go pressure Turkey,” he said.

Amash also left open the possibility of running for president at some point.

"I'm running for Congress but I keep things open and I wouldn't rule anything out,” he said.

Commenting on the House impeachment inquiry, Amash predicted only “one or two”  Republicans would change their vote.

"Frankly, a lot of the Republicans will be worried about primaries,” he said. “And they think the president is popular within the primary electorate.”

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Politics
President Donald Trump is using American troops like "paid mercenaries" in the Middle East, Rep. Justin Amash, I-Mich., charged Sunday.In an interview on NBC News' "Meet The Press," Amash, who has been a frequent GOP critic of Trump, said "It's pretty clear he's not...
amashtrumpmiddleeast
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2019-31-20
Sunday, 20 October 2019 10:31 AM
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