Pfc. Donald Watkins via Wikimedia Commons

Retiring Special Representative to Syria Jim Jeffrey admitted that he and his colleagues lied to President Trump multiple times about troop levels in Syria. Jeffrey excused his behavior by rationalizing that it ensured a small U.S. contingent would remain to fill the void following the collapse of ISIS.

The Daily Caller’s Christian Datoc reports:


Jeffrey, speaking to Defense One, explained how despite Trump’s stated promise to withdraw America from endless Middle Eastern engagements, he was able to convince the president to commit to keeping between 200 to 400 troops in the region in 2019 to “secure” oil fields held by U.S. allies and other strategic positions.

“We were always playing shell games to not make clear to our leadership how many troops we had there,” he stated. “When the situation in northeast Syria had been fairly stable after we defeated ISIS, [Trump] was inclined to pull out. In each case, we then decided to come up with five better arguments for why we needed to stay. And we succeeded both times. That’s the story.”

Jim Sciutto, CNN’s chief national security correspondent, tweeted that senior Defense Department officials told him similar stories when interviewed for his book, “The Madman Theory.”

Jeffrey, who publicly opposed Trump’s foreign policy before joining the administration in 2018, did praise Trump during his interview with Defense One. He claimed that Trump’s “modest” approach to Middle Eastern policy was far more effective than that of either former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

President Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper six days after the election. He swiftly installed new leadership at the Pentagon with the reported intention of completing a full withdrawal from Afghanistan by year’s end.




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MikefromTexas
MikefromTexas
2 years ago

Damn, its a wonder that Trump could trust anyone.

Alan
Alan
2 years ago
Reply to  MikefromTexas

The only person he ever trusted was himself even when he was wrong!

Jerri
Jerri
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan

Alan, we get it YOU HATE TRUMP. Isn’t there a socialist Democrat page where your opinion would matter?

Lowis
Lowis
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan

I am making a good salary from home $1200-$2500/week , which is amazing, under a year back I was jobless in a horrible economy. I thank God every day I was blessed with these instructions and now it’s my duty to pay it forward and share it with Everyone, Here is what I do…..https://bit.ly/2Up8jYT

Francisco Machado
Francisco Machado
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan

And you are dogmatically convinced you are right, e.g. Biden’s “We accept truth over facts” despite having neither reason nor evidence beyond your own opinion. I’d bet the odds of Trump being right, seeing what he has accomplished, over your opinion.

JohnS
JohnS
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan

Which shows that you never trust yourself to say or do anything but take advice from your handlers to deliver their opinion. Glad you don’t run anything important like a push cart.

Howard Navy vet
Howard Navy vet
2 years ago
Reply to  JohnS

Hello John i have something you can push Your disgusting

Rick
Rick
2 years ago

Easy there meatgazer, he might just push it YOU

Autumn
Autumn
2 years ago

Keeping some extra troops in Syria was one thing I supported but I can’t think of one other thing where I didn’t end up supporting Trump. In fact, I didn’t vote for him or clinton in 2016 but Trump sure got my vote this time. I, like most with some self respect, compassion for the less fortunate, and integrity, detest bullies and how hard you must’ve all worked to make Trump your victim. I’d have never thought that possible had I not seen it and there’s plenty of folks in this country in total agreement. As a rule, US citizen’s do not like liars and bullies. Time to wake up dude, we didn’t vote for Trump, we voted AGAINST a bunch of evil, violent, corrupt, self absorbed criminals. Some of us still believe being a US citizen actually means something. Are you sure you’re being honest with your Navy vet moniker?? Coming from a rich military background (I’m an AF vet), I don’t know one vet that’s not ashamed of the behaviors of you and your ilk. I’m either not buying it or you’re just another mindless zombie that learned nothing from the military, including the ability to think for yourself.

So exactly what makes you think you’re any less disgusting than John? Your post was definitely more disgusting, infantile, self serving, and clearly shows how little respect you have for yourself, let alone another. It’s amazing that you people think so highly of yourselves. Seriously, who do you think you are?? No one desires to control your minds so what makes you think you’re entitled to control ours. G-d is the only one to merit such attention and whether you like it or not, guess what dude, you’re not Him. Truth is you’re so far from God it’s pathetic and I hope that works for you people in the future, that’s YOUR decision. As to the rest, you’ve no business in our house either as that’s OUR decision.

And as for the man you’d like forced into office instead of Trump, I’m the daughter of parents that were formally involved in DE politics. I’m also a little blond girl that truly started college at Del State University (Del State during my time) and I was truly Baptized in an all black church in Chester, PA at the age of 15 (I’m now 60). For biden to tell flat out lies of accomplishments he had nothing to do with is flat out disgusting, inexcusable and an insult to anyone that actually did what he falsely claimed he did. For a split second I thought that man took my history and claimed it himself as he has personal knowledge of those facts and history. And since you’re not very adept at critical thinking let me tell you that meant. That meant I fought racial divides long before most of you ever considered it. As we’ve now got every race in our very loving and happy family that means we were successful. Not only is your desire for the WH a habitual liar and predator, but he’s also one of the most racist people I’ve ever been unfortunate enough to encounter. My knowledge is firsthand and not rumor, speculation, or assumptions. You can think and/or believe anyone you choose to and willingly climb into the depths of wherever, but don’t expect the children of God and those adept in critical thinking to follow you, ever. And quit embarrassing and shaming our military. You’re in the minority and vets deserve the respect your words take from them.

Lisa
Lisa
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan

Looks like you’re the only one here who think that. You are clearly a pos liberal who wouldn’t know a fact if it kicked you in the head.

tracker1
tracker1
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan

So. When was he wrong?

Autumn
Autumn
2 years ago
Reply to  tracker1

You have erred in asking any hard questions. LOL!!

Madeleine
Madeleine
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan

President trump is no fool, and I cannot recall him being wrong, unless CNN and MSNBC spin or cherry pick and twist everything he says. Fact is President Trump has achieved more for America in the past 4 years, than any Politician ever did, because a) he is very smart b) he takes no salary so doesnt accept bribes or blackmail, or money laundering, c) he has experience in Project Management, overseas business negotiations, Hospitality industry and even Entertainment, and finally last but never least, he trusts in God and is honest <3

David
David
2 years ago
Reply to  Madeleine

THANK YOU MADELEINE!

David
David
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan

Allen must be retarded!

cshelby
cshelby
2 years ago
Reply to  MikefromTexas

Trump knew he was being lied to and thats why any troop or equipment withdrawals were taken to Cyprus which is less than 4 hours from Syria and Lebanon. This info is now commonly known except for details, but at time of withdrawal required Beyond TS to know details of what, when, where.

Howard Navy vet
Howard Navy vet
2 years ago
Reply to  cshelby

OH and now you can Read trumps Mind ????

Susan
Susan
2 years ago

Don’t have to be able to read is mind to know that he does not tend to telegraph his moves in these matters.

gpo1913
gpo1913
2 years ago
Reply to  MikefromTexas

The thing is President Trump has won and all these people are saying what they did thinking he’ll be gone. SURPRISE!! He doesn’t forget.

Francesco Borghese
Francesco Borghese
2 years ago

The Swamp is HUUUUUGE

Jojodmonkey
Jojodmonkey
2 years ago

Well, Jeffery’s retirement should start with execution and then his eternal retirement straight to hell!

Junie
Junie
2 years ago
Reply to  Jojodmonkey

I don’t wish hell on anyone, as it is eternal. But he should be rounded up with the rest of them and held accountable!

John
John
2 years ago
Reply to  Junie

Amen Junie,