Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump faced scathing bipartisan criticism for his decision last week to withdraw US forces from northern Syria. But it's unclear if Republicans are ready to directly rebuke the President by signing on to a resolution pushed by Democrats that would, in the words of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, "undo" the military moves of a President who is "simply derelict in his duty."

That sort of uncompromising language -- if Democrats tried to apply it to a formal resolution -- could push away Republicans, who are frustrated with events in Syria but reluctant to draw the ire of the commander in chief.

Instead, Republicans appear more willing to aim their criticism at Turkey by voting for tough new sanctions against the NATO ally, which has drifted from Western influence in recent years under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Such a move would allow Republicans, who know Trump is popular with their constituents, to express their unhappiness without confronting the President head-on.

Trump announced Monday that he would impose sanctions and tariffs against Turkey for its attack in Syria, but lawmakers will likely want to codify sanctions and not just rely on the executive branch to carry them out.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a firm Trump ally, has been one of the most vocal opponents of the President's decision to remove American troops. But after blasting it initially, Graham has worked carefully with the White House to build support for sanctions and is now crafting bipartisan legislation that he thinks will be widely popular on Capitol Hill.

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