Adding to the controversies that surround President Donald Trump's choices as leader of the free world, Trump this week battled bipartisan disapproval of foreign policy decisions he made against Turkey. The criticism extended from what lawmakers have describe as him betraying the Kurds, who fought alongside U.S. troops against ISIS.
Early this week, Trump issued a statement which issued an order that targeted Turkish officials over Ankara's incursion into Syria. This coming the day after he direct a full withdrawal of U.S. troops from northern Syria and his tweet reading "Big sanctions on Turkey coming!"
Trump said that he will soon sign an executive order that will authorize sanctions on Turkey. He also stated that he would halt negotiations with Turkey on a $100 billion trade deal and that tariffs on Turkish steel would increase to 50% from 25%.
Trump then went on to authorize the powerful sanctions against Turkey for the invasion into the region and called for the Turkish President to implement an immediate ceasefire. Trump then faced bipartisan criticism for his decision to order a withdrawal of U.S. forces, with officials urging Trump to undo his decision, to protect the Kurds, and "do everything that we must do to prevent ISIS terrorists from escaping, and make sure that Turkey respects existing agreements related to Syria and with the United States."
As the week continued, Trump attempted to distance himself for the Turkey-Syria conflict amid the inflating criticism of his decision to pull U.S. troops from northeastern Syria.
Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were scheduled to meet with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan Wednesday in an effort to persuade him to pull out of Syria.
The House of Representatives that day voted to condemn Trump's withdrawal of American forces, with the resolution passing 354 to 60.
Trump also on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have ended the national emergency declaration at the southern U.S. border, thus extending the emergency.
Trump later on Wednesday met with bipartisan congressional leadership which caused a walk out by Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, that Trump documented on his Twitter feed. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer told reports that Trump had called Pelosi a "third-rate politician."
On Thursday, Pence announced that the U.S. and Turkey had agreed to the cease-fire to allow for a Kurdish withdrawal for a security zone roughly 20 miles south of the Turkish Border.
Trump praised the five-day-cease-fire in northern Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that the pause was contingent upon Kurdish-led forces leaving the safe-zone area.
The move was not unmet by criticism from U.S. lawmakers, with Senator Mitt Romney stating that he welcomed the cease-fire but "the cease-fire does not change the fact that America has abandoned an ally."
Trump also on Thursday announced that the U.S. will host the next G7 summit at the Trump National Doral Miami Golf Club. Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney stated that Trump "has made it clear since he's been (in the White House) he hasn't profited (from the golf club).
On Friday, the Trump administration imposed new tariffs on a record $7.5 billion worth of goods from the European Union.
The Kurds have also announced Friday that Turkey is violating the ceasefire that was brought forth from the U.S., going against the cease-fire called by Pence and Erdogan.
Later on Friday, House Democrats announced that they are preparing a resolution to condemn Trump's decision to select his property for the next G7 summit, calling the decision inconsistent with the emoluments cause of the Constitution.