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How Did Trump Let This Happen?

President Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up as he speaks to the press as he walks to Marine One prior on December 7, 2018. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
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October 17, 2019 7:35 p.m.
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Aside from the national humiliation and breach of trust with allies, we have a remarkable development with President Trump’s sudden and still entirely unexplained decision to green-light a Turkish invasion of northeastern Syria. President Trump had already entered the greatest crisis of his presidency to date. And yet, a few tut-tuts and misgivings notwithstanding, Republicans remained reflexive in their support. President Trump chose this moment to drive a massive wedge between himself and the overwhelming majority of his own party. At a critical moment he chose to open a second front … against himself.

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