President Trump's sudden pronouncement that U.S. troops in Afghanistan “should” be home by Christmas will make the already sensitive negotiations with the Taliban more difficult, U.S. officials told Fox News on Thursday.
In the deal the Trump administration signed with the Taliban in February, all U.S. troops will leave Afghanistan by May 2021 if conditions are met. The conditions include that there will be no attacks against U.S. forces.
TRUMP SAYS US TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN WILL BE HOME BY CHRISTMAS
“We should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas!” Trump tweeted late Wednesday.
The Taliban said in a statement on Thursday that they welcomed the president’s announcement.
However, the president appeared to have gotten ahead of his negotiators and his National Security team. Trump's tweet came hours after his national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, said the U.S. would reduce its forces to 2,500 by early next year.
U.S. officials told Fox News that the sudden pronouncement, which appeared timed to help Trump in the presidential election, will make it harder for his negotiators and the Afghan government, who are currently in tough talks with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar.
