President Trump okayed sending 59 Tomahawk missiles into Syria and destroyed a Syrian airfield tonight in response to Bashar Al Assad’s use of Sarin gas against his own people.

Reaction to the strike is decidedly mixed. Trump foes are flummoxed. Trump loyalists are angry. Leftists are saying two things: that they support the action but would feel more comfortable if Hillary was the one making it. Or, and this is a nasty response: the children wouldn’t have died to begin with if Trump had allowed them all (millions, evidently) to come to the United States. Essentially Trump is to blame for the children dying — not the guy who killed the children. Libertarians are afraid of total war.

BREAKING: 14 Syrian fighter jets destroyed in US military strike on Assad regime airbase

— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) April 7, 2017

Full statement from President on U.S. attack on Syrian military assets: pic.twitter.com/dTFNheGK4l

— West Wing Reports (@WestWingReport) April 7, 2017

Tillerson: “Either Russia has been complicit or Russia has been incompetent on its ability to deliver” removal of chemical weapons.

— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) April 7, 2017

.@SteveKopack NEW: Pentagon statement on Syrian strike; video has also been released of airstrikes – @JasonLeopold pic.twitter.com/VnuXHG9wX1

— Conflict News (@Conflicts) April 7, 2017

This action in Syria was appropriate and just.

My full statement: pic.twitter.com/oIlOT65zTC

— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) April 7, 2017

No legal basis for Trump’s attack on Syria. US not under threat of attack. Needed Congress ok … &, btw, it’s what he campaigned against.

— Andrew C. McCarthy (@AndrewCMcCarthy) April 7, 2017

This: “U.S. military planners took precautions to minimize risk to Russian or Syrian personnel located at the airfield.” – pentagon spksmn

— Kevin Baron (@DefenseBaron) April 7, 2017

Tomahawk cruise missiles being fired, per Pentagon press desk pic.twitter.com/S3duw6hmWr

— Tim Mak (@timkmak) April 7, 2017

Before shot of #AshShairat #Syria #Airbase. What do you think the after shots will look like? pic.twitter.com/q57nD8LRa8

— Tᴇxᴀɴ Bʟᴀᴋᴇ Mᴀᴜʟᴅɪɴ (@BAMTX) April 7, 2017

Framers of Constitution divided war powers to prevent abuse. Congress to declare war; president to conduct war and repel sudden attacks. https://t.co/zSoEh2yoYR

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) April 7, 2017

If the US is to increase use of military force in Syria, we should follow the Constitution and seek the proper authorization from Congress.

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) April 6, 2017

People are so distracted by the Trump of Trump to see the implications of the actions.

While the strike occurred, President Trump was sitting at dinner in Mar A Lago with the Chinese Premier. A message was being sent about North Korea. It will be interesting to see how China responds to the show of force.

@KurtSchlichter @Reverend_Ducati Oh! Looks who’s in town, too! pic.twitter.com/1VDQ9QBW92

— Marj Oszman (@TurntableKittah) April 7, 2017

The Tomahawks were a showy warning to Syria, Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea that certain behavior will not be tolerated.

There are some who believe that this bombing is nothing. There are those who fear it’s the preface to war.

The bombing seems simpler than that. It’s a warning to world leaders and rogue states: America is reasserting itself.

Exit question: There’s a lot of outrage from Congressional members and talking heads that Trump didn’t make his case to Congress first before declaring war on Syria. This is fascinating. Where were these folks when President Obama bombed Yemen? There’s still no declaration of war there. Ditto Libya.

It’s refreshing to see everyone interested in the separation of powers. What’s old is new again.

More:

MAP: The Posture of the #Assad Regime and its #Russian and #Iranian (+ proxy) allies in #Syria https://t.co/u3i9k6qGbv: pic.twitter.com/8itYh6szFN

— ISW (@TheStudyofWar) April 7, 2017