Sen. Angus King Angus KingShakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' On The Trail: How Nancy Pelosi could improbably become president Angus King: Ending election security briefings 'looks like a pre-cover-up' MORE (I-Maine) said Monday that putting boots on the ground in Syria would be a mistake and argued President Trump must come to Congress for approval before taking additional military action against the Syrian regime.

“It is such a complicated situation, but if we try to go in with troops, and some people have advocated that, I think that would be a huge mistake. That’s what ISIS wants. They want to bog us down in a land war in Syria, if you will,” King told CNN’s “New Day,” referring to the Islamic State in Iraq & Syria.

ADVERTISEMENT

King emphasized the need for the administration to form a strategy in the wake of last week’s missile strike on the Syrian airfield believed to the be the launching point of a deadly chemical weapons attack, which U.S. and other Western officials have pinned Syrian President Bashar Assad. The strike was the first time the U.S. has directly hit Syria's military, which has been embroiled in a civil war against opposition groups ranging from moderate rebels to U.S.-designated terrorist organizations.

“There’s got to be some strategy. And come to Congress. Clearly the authorization from 2001 doesn’t apply in this situation,” King added, referencing the 2001 authorization for use of military force passed by Congress following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Lawmakers in both parties, including Sens. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulGOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill Overnight Health Care: Senate Democrats block GOP relief bill | Democrats reveal Medicaid chief's spending on high-paid consultants | Trump calls question about why he 'lied' about COVID-19 a 'disgrace' MORE (R-Ky.) and Tim Kaine Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep Catholic group launches .7M campaign against Biden targeting swing-state voters GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure MORE (D-Va.), have called on Trump to come to Congress for approval since last week’s strikes.