President Trump on Saturday praised the U.S. military for representing the nation "so well" in an operation against Shayrat air base in Syria.



"Congratulations to our great military men and women for representing the United States, and the world, so well in the Syria attack," Trump tweeted.

Congratulations to our great military men and women for representing the United States, and the world, so well in the Syria attack. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2017

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Trump on Thursday authorized a launch of 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the base in response to a chemical attack believed to be carried out by Syrian President Bashar Assad earlier this week.



The president said that it is in the "vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons."



Some critics, including Sen. 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.), have criticized the airstrikes as inappropriate, while others maintained that a military operation agains the Assad regime was long overdue.