President Donald Trump met with Conan, the K9 hero of the raid that resulted in the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, at the White House on Monday. The meeting, which surprised many reporters, served to recognize the dog’s bravery and contribution to the successful operation.
“Conan is a tough cookie,” President Trump stated proudly after meeting the dog. “Nobody’s going to mess with Conan.”
Conan, a Belgian Malinois, sustained minor injuries during the raid in Syria in October but has since returned to active duty. The President, First Lady, and Vice President Mike Pence appeared in the Rose Garden alongside Conan to acknowledge her role in the mission, as Breitbart reported.
President Trump lauded the operation’s success, emphasizing the absence of significant American casualties. “We were able to complete the raid without any American casualty,” he said. “And so I think having the Special Forces here today, who obviously can’t come out in the public, but also having this extraordinary dog here today is all a reflection of our armed forces and the great job that they do.”
He further commented on Conan’s capabilities, suggesting that even the most formidable soldier would face a challenge against the canine. He noted how quickly the dog could move, adding, “It’s amazing, and yet you see how beautiful and how calm during a situation like this is. And you’re very lucky that he’s not in a bad mood today,” Trump joked with the reporters present.
According to a White House source, Conan is female and serves in a military canine unit. “I learned a lot about this particular type of dog. And it’s trained that, if you open your mouths, you will be attacked,” Trump told reporters, with whom he often has a contentious relationship. “You want to be very, very careful.”
He acknowledged Conan as potentially the “world’s most famous dog,” praising her performance in the raid. The President mentioned awarding Conan a medal and a plaque for her service. “I actually think Conan knew exactly what was going on,” he said.
When asked about the possibility of adopting Conan, President Trump explained that the dog still has more service to give. “I love this dog,” he affirmed. “Conan is not retiring yet. Conan is primetime, age-wise. Primetime.”