Trump considering expelling 20 Russian diplomats over chemical attacks: report

President Trump is reportedly considering expelling at least 20 Russian diplomats in response to the poisoning of an ex-Russian spy in Britain. 

U.S. and European officials told The Washington Post Saturday that Trump was considering expelling 20 or more Russian diplomats and that aides close to the president are urging him to make the decision in solidarity with the United Kingdom.

CNN first reported Friday that the National Security Council (NSC) was expected to recommend that Trump make the decision to expel the diplomats. According to CNN, such a decision could be made as early as next week. {mosads}

The president met earlier this week with the NSC to discuss multiple responses to the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, an ex-Russian spy, and his daughter in Britain earlier this month. The recommendation will be the outcome of that meeting, according to CNN’s sources.

At least 20 people have been hospitalized as a result of possible exposure to the poison, a deadly Soviet-era nerve agent that U.S. and British authorities say is most likely linked back to Russian intelligence.

If the U.S. does expel diplomats, the move would follow a similar decision by the U.K. last week to expel 23 Russian diplomats from the country. 

John Bowden contributed