President Donald Trump is facing criticism from conservatives after signing an executive order pledging U.S. military protection for Qatar — a Gulf state accused of sheltering Hamas leadership.
The Order
Trump’s executive order states, “Over the years, the United States and the State of Qatar have been bound together by close cooperation, shared interests and the close relationship between our armed forces. … In recognition of this history, and in light of the continuing threats to the State of Qatar posed by foreign aggression, it is the policy of the United States to guarantee the security and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar against external attack.”
‘Threat to Peace’
The order goes a step further, declaring the United States will treat an attack on Qatar as a direct threat. “The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States,” it continued.
Outrage
The latest defense agreement has outraged many on the right, who argue that backing Qatar undermines American values. One critic of the decision, Fox News host Mark Levin, expressed his skepticism, referring to “our new protectorate, Qatar.”
Conservative backlash
Levin warned the agreement could drag the U.S. into unnecessary conflict. “If the leadership of Hamas in Qatar is killed by Israel, are we going to war with Israel? Wouldn’t it have been better to condition any military defense of Qatar on some basic requirements? For example: turnover the Hamas leaders; no more funding of terrorists worldwide: no more funding of Marxist-Islamist groups in the United States. This is the bare minimum.” The Fox News host continued his criticism, this time directing it at conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. “I’m sure Qatarlson and the other Qatarites and assorted grifters and bigots will denounce a deal that ostensibly commits our children to fight for Qatar.”
https://knewz.com/conservatives-turn-on-trump-over-pledge-to-defend-qatar