Trump on Syrian Strike: 'Mission Accomplished!'

President Trump trotted out a familiar presidential phrase Saturday morning to praise the Friday night strikes on Syria: "Mission Accomplished!" The phrase came at the end of a tweet in which Trump hailed "a perfectly executed strike last night." He also thanked France and Britian "for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military," adding, "Could not have had a better result." A second tweet praised the US military, which he said would soon be "the finest that our Country has ever had," thanks to "the spending of billions of fully approved dollars."

In an address to the nation Friday night, Trump said the US and its allies were punishing Syria for a chemical attack on its civilians, and on Saturday, Syria and backers Russia and Iran condemned the airstrikes and warned of unspecified payback. The UN Security Council was expected to meet Saturday to discuss the matter at the request of Russia. During the assault, the Navy launched more than 100 Tomahawk missiles from destroyers in the Mediterranean, while Air Force B-15 bombers dropped JASSM "standoff" missiles for the first time in combat, reports the AP. Russia claims that Syria shot down 71 of 103 cruise missiles. (More President Trump stories.)