We Have Contained Them': Obama Taking Heat for Claim About Islamic State That Aired Just Hours Before Paris Terror Attacks

His words couldn't have aired at a worse time.

President Barack Obama's interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos — in which Obama said "we have contained" the Islamic State — was broadcast during Friday's "Good Morning America."

Hours later terrorists carried out coordinated attacks in Paris that claimed the lives of at least 129 people; on Saturday morning the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the carnage.

"What is true is that from the start our goal has been first to contain — and we have contained them," Obama said in the interview. "They have not gained ground in Iraq, and in Syria they’ll come in, they’ll leave, but you don’t see this systematic march by ISIL across the terrain."

Later in the interview Obama added that the Islamic State "continues to shrink in it's scope of operations."

His declaration in light of the Paris terrorist attacks didn't escape the notice of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump: 

President Obama said "ISIL continues to shrink" in an interview just hours before the horrible attack in Paris. He is just so bad! CHANGE.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 14, 2015

"President Obama said 'ISIL continues to shrink' in an interview just hours before the horrible attack in Paris," Trump tweeted. "He is just so bad! CHANGE."

Obama's assessments of the Islamic State's strength and capabilities haven't always matched, as he once famously called the group a junior varsity-version of al-Qaeda.

"What we have not yet been able to do is to completely decapitate their command and control structures," Obama said during the interview.

Others also weighed in on Obama's "we have contained them" declaration:

It was only this morning Obama said "We have contained them." #ISIS

— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) November 13, 2015

Obama-- Ignorant moron? Or part of the problem? Both? No one could be THIS stupid, right? https://t.co/RDQwNont77

— Wayne Allyn Root (@WayneRoot) November 15, 2015

#Obama: ISIS Is Not Getting Stronger, We've Contained Them https://t.co/VvmHMaWUd0 Nothing Like Having Your BS Revealed Just Hrs Later #tcot

— John Betts (@JohnFromCranber) November 15, 2015

Another day, another lie. ICYMI from just this morning: "Obama Downplays ISIS Threat: 'We Have Contained Them'" https://t.co/4RazYFS80m

— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) November 14, 2015

(H/T: Daily Mail)

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