Trump’s Hypocrisy on Syrian Children is Contemptuous and Shameful

Trump Seems to Suffer from a Case of Selective Caring When it Comes to Syrian Children

Trump’s military strike on Syria last night has been met with mixed reviews. But, when it comes to hypocrisy and hollow statements regarding the fate of Syrian children, he definitely hit the mark.

As Tomahawk missiles slammed into an airbase in Syria, Trump spoke from Mar-a-Lago condemning the chemical attack instigated by the Assad regime that prompted this military intervention, as Politico reports.

“Using a deadly nerve agent, Assad choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many. Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack. No child of God should ever suffer such horror.”

Although he is right, that no kid should suffer in such a way, no one should be under the illusion that Trump’s first consideration is the well-being of Syrian children. As The Telegraph points out, on the campaign trail, Trump was absolutely cold-hearted when it came to the Syrian kids who were forced to flee the conflict in their country.

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When asked if he could look into the faces of Syrian children and say they couldn’t come to America as refugees, his response was callous and cruel.

“I can look in their faces and say ‘You can’t come’. I’ll look them in the face. Look, we don’t know where their parents come from. Their parents should always stay with them, that’s very important, but we don’t know where the parents come from, they have no documentation. They may be Isil, they may be Isil-related. It could be a Trojan horse. If two per cent of those people are bad the trouble is unbelievable.”

So, apparently, images of children dying in a chemical gas attack are enough to move him to take military action, but aren’t enough to actually allow any of them into the United States as refugees.

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The hypocrisy didn’t go unnoticed on social media as twitter users ripped Trump apart for his refugee stance.

And if we really care about the children of Syria, let’s welcome them here when they seek shelter from barrel bombs and chemical weapons.

— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) April 7, 2017

Do we really care about Syria? Do we want to help its people? Do we care about its children? Then we must open our doors to its refugees.

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) April 7, 2017

@IvankaTrump How do you feel about his proposed ban on Syrian refugees from entering the US? Do you see any disconnect there at all? Thanks

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) April 7, 2017

President Trump should reopen the door he has tried to slam shut on Syrian refugees https://t.co/vC62wysACY pic.twitter.com/SYVRUpnKjY

— NYT Opinion (@nytopinion) April 7, 2017

If Trump truly cares about Syrian civilians, he will make a commitment to welcome Syrian refugees fleeing war #IWelcome #SyriaStrikes pic.twitter.com/Y55BsC04o3

— amnestypress (@amnestypress) April 7, 2017

Feature image Spencer Platt/Getty Images