US officials scramble after being caught off guard by Trump’s ‘snap decision’ to withdraw from Syria

On Wednesday morning President Donald Trump announced that there would be a "full" and "rapid" withdrawal of U.S. troops in Syria.

However, sources close to Trump have criticized his action as a "snap decision."

The Daily Beast is reporting that officials were unaware of Trump's decision and that it sowed confusion surrounding the goals that the U.S has in Syria.

"Multiple foreign and U.S. officials told The Daily Beast that Trump’s announcement came as a surprise, without prior briefings or warnings," Spencer Ackerman from The Beast wrote.

"To them, Wednesday's leaks and subsequent public confirmation by Trump and his White House team was rushed, quickly cobbled together, and formed without any clear timeline," he added.

Republicans have criticized Trump for his decision, and said the president should have consulted Congress about his decision, which he tweeted out.

"We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency," he tweeted.

The U.S. plans to keep troops in Iraq but will withdraw ground forces in Syria.