The White House on Monday called Sen. John McCain's, R-Ariz., criticism of President Donald Trump regarding Syria "outrageous," per a report in The Hill.
McCain said Trump emboldened Syrian President Bashar Assad to launch another chemical attack against "innocent men, women and children" when he "signaled to the world that the United States would prematurely withdraw from Syria."
Reports out of Syria say Assad is to blame for Saturday's suspected poison gas attack in Douma that killed at least 40 people, with families found suffocated in their houses and shelters.
Trump has moved to dramatically scale back U.S. goals in Syria, and has pushed for a quick military withdrawal against advice from his top defense aides.
The president tweeted there would be a "big price to pay" for the attacks and is said to be considering military strikes.
"Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria," Trump said. "Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!"
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters Monday it was "outrageous to say the president of the United States green-lit something as atrocious as the" chemical attack.
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