President Donald Trump's quick decision to attack a Syrian airfield with cruise missiles has silenced many of his critics who have hounded him during the first two and a half months of his presidency.
When his U.N. ambassador and secretary of state just 10 days ago said the U.S. would no longer seek to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Trump was met with a barrage of criticism.
Leading the pack was Republican Senator John McCain, who called the change in policy "another disgraceful chapter in American history."  It was just part of the intense criticism Trump has been facing from the foreign policy and intelligence establishment, as well as the Democratic Party, for his stated aim to reduce tensions with Russia, and even to work with Moscow in Syria to defeat ISIS and other terrorist groups.
When as many as 100 people died last week in Khan Shikhun in Idlib province from chemical weapons, McCain blamed the incident on Trump for his decision to end the regime change policy."Bashar al-Assad and his friends, the Russians, take note of what the Americans say and I'm sure they took note of what the secretary of state said," McCain remarked. "I'm sure they're encouraged and know the United States is withdrawing." Hillary Clinton, whom Trump defeated for the presidency, just hours before Trump took action told an audience in New York that the U.S. should attack Syrian airfields. 
After the cruise missile strike on al-Sharyat airbase, Trump was showered with praise by his erstwhile critics.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said: "Making sure Assad knows that when he commits such despicable atrocities he will pay a price is the right thing to do." House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called the cruise missile attack "a proportional response to the regime’s use of chemical weapons." Even McCain and his close Senate colleague Lindsey Graham, issued a statement, saying Trump "deserves the support of the American people."  Liberal Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren intoned that "the Syrian regime must be held accountable for this horrific act." Five of America's top newspaper published 18 opinion articles on Trump's attack, and all praised him, with The Washington Post calling the air strike "Trump’s Chance to Step Into the Global Leadership Vacuum." Some commentators said Trump had finally become a "real" president with the cruise missile strike. How long Trump can enjoy his new popularity remains to be seen as McCain and others want him to go further in Syria to topple Assad. 

Source: QNA