The following is the full text of U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks on Friday announcing military strikes targeting Syrian President Bashar Assad's chemical weapons capabilities after a poison gas attack that killed at least 60 people last week.
THE PRESIDENT: My fellow Americans, a short time ago, I ordered the United States Armed Forces to launch precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. A combined operation with the armed forces of France and the United Kingdom is now under way. We thank them both.
Tonight, I want to speak with you about why we have taken this action.