Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) applauded President Donald Trump for how he conducted himself with leaders from the Middle East this week.
“I’m not in the habit of praising Donald Trump, but I’ve got to tell you, in the last week or so in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, it’s a different story,” Himes, the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, told Politico’s Security Summit.
Trump has spent the past few days meeting with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. He has been given a warm welcome in the Middle East and touted his foreign policy goals for the region.
As tensions remain high between Iran and Israel, Himes disclosed during the interview that he feared that Israel was “hell-bent on going to war with Iran.” But the Democratic lawmaker also said he believes Trump has helped avoid a heightened conflict.
IN SAUDI ARABIA, TRUMP OFFERS NEW VISION OF US MIDDLE EAST POLICY
Himes also said he appreciated Trump for meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa. The encounter marks the first time in 25 years that the presidents of the two countries met.
“I’ve got to tell you, I think the president has, in this last week or so, played the Middle East pretty darn well,” Himes said.