“I hope President Trump, unlike his predecessor, will not put our military in a bad spot in Afghanistan," Sen. Lindsey Graham said. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Graham to Trump: Afghanistan pullout could cause another 9/11

Sen. Lindsey Graham warned President Donald Trump on Friday that pulling troops out of Afghanistan could lay the groundwork for another 9/11.

Trump is traveling to Camp David on Friday with his chief national security aides to discuss the path forward for the 16-year-old U.S. war there.


The South Carolina Republican urged Trump in a statement to “listen to his generals” — an apparent request for the president to prioritize the views of military commanders over those of his just-dismissed chief strategist Steve Bannon, who reportedly wants to replace U.S. troops in Afghanistan with private contractors.

“If we were to pull all our troops from Afghanistan it would be a disaster for our national security interests and set the stage for another 9/11 on American soil,” Graham said. “I hope President Trump, unlike his predecessor, will not put our military in a bad spot in Afghanistan. He should give them the tools and support they need to confront the rising terror threats in Afghanistan.”

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On Thursday, Defense Secretary James Mattis told reporters the administration was “very close” to a decision on the next steps for the U.S. in Afghanistan.