WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), former Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, today released the following statement on the U.S. military strikes in Syria:

“I applaud President Trump’s decision to take action in Syria against the atrocities committed by the Assad regime with its use of chemical weapons against innocent civilians.

“This action is a wake-up call to Assad and our other adversaries around the world – that the United States will not idly stand by and let these atrocities continue.

“President Trump began his Presidency meeting with our allies in the Middle East and in Asia. These discussions were the foundation for his decision to begin a new era of American foreign policy. After eight years of passive policies, last night’s action is a strong signal to these allies that America will take decisive action against bad actors.

“There are times the president must take action on behalf of our national security – and this was one of those times. This precision strike was not an act of war, nor an indication of long-term conflict. The president has shown that the U.S. is and will remain the leader of the free world.

“I am proud of the impressive capability and skill of our men and women in uniform who were able to carry out this mission.”