The presence of U.S. troops in Syria is crucial for maintaining stability for the nation's citizens, and policy about the country moving forward should be based on conditions on the ground, Sen. Ron Johnson said Thursday.
"We met with the co-chairperson of the Syrian Defense Council, and they represent about 4 million Syrians," the Wisconsin Republican told Fox News' "America's Newsroom," explaining that the council represents Kurds and Christians who did much of the fighting against ISIS.
"They're fully aware of the fact there are pockets of sleeper cells, of ISIS and they just view it as crucial that America maintains a presence."
Johnson also commented on President Donald Trump's statements that members of the intelligence community are wrong on Iran, saying that there is a "lot to learn" for anyone coming into public service when it comes to foreign policy from the private sector.
"When you come into public life you face all these issues particularly in foreign policy where every country is steeped in history and tradition," said Johnson.
"I've relied on my staff and briefings from experts throughout the administration and throughout government to bring me up to speed, and that would be my recommendation for anybody particularly coming from the private sector."
He did agree with Trump that leaders in the past have made mistakes, but he does think that America remains a "great force for good."
"When we aren't leading, the world experiences voids and vacuums filled by very unsavory characters," said Johnson.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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