WASHINGTON — Amid an argument with Russia over the prospect of missile strikes, President Trump's national security team huddled Wednesday about how to respond to a reported chemical weapons attack in Syria.
"Final decisions haven't been made," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. "The president has a number of options at his disposal."
President Trump and Defense Secretary James Mattis
Pool, Getty Images
Given the prospect of conflict with Russia as well as Syria, Sanders said that "all options are on the table."
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrived at the White House hours after a Russian official said U.S. missiles headed toward Syria would be shot down and Trump responded with a tweeted taunt.
"Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and 'smart!' Trump tweeted.
The American president also criticized Russia for its support of Syrian leader Bashar Assad, saying "you shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!'
Before his White House trip, Mattis told reporters that the U.S. is still assessing intelligence as to whether the Assad regime is responsible for the gas attack that killed anti-government rebels and their children.
"We stand ready to provide military options if they are appropriate as the President determined," Mattis said
Share MediaShow Caption
WASHINGTON
Trump huddles with military aides on Syria response amid fight with Russians
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Aa
_
David Jackson | USA TODAY
Updated 9 minutes ago
WASHINGTON — Amid an argument with Russia over the prospect of missile strikes, President Trump's national security team huddled Wednesday about how to respond to a reported chemical weapons attack in Syria.
"Final decisions haven't been made," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. "The president has a number of options at his disposal."
President Trump and Defense Secretary James Mattis
Pool, Getty Images
Given the prospect of conflict with Russia as well as Syria, Sanders said that "all options are on the table."
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrived at the White House hours after a Russian official said U.S. missiles headed toward Syria would be shot down and Trump responded with a tweeted taunt.
"Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and 'smart!' Trump tweeted.
The American president also criticized Russia for its support of Syrian leader Bashar Assad, saying "you shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!'
Before his White House trip, Mattis told reporters that the U.S. is still assessing intelligence as to whether the Assad regime is responsible for the gas attack that killed anti-government rebels and their children.
"We stand ready to provide military options if they are appropriate as the President determined," Mattis said.
More: All eyes on Syria as U.S. weighs military strike: Here's the latest
Russia is disputing the claim that Assad's government was behind the attack; Trump has said evidence indicates otherwise.
CIA Director and secretary of State-designate Mike Pompeo was also spotted at the White House on Wednesday. Sanders said the president's national security team to discuss the options regarding Syria.
Some lawmakers criticized Trump's apparent telegraphing by tweet of a missile strike in Syria.
"Promising war by tweet, insults not only the Constitution but every soldier who puts their life on the line," tweeted Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova hit Trump in a Facebook post: "Smart missiles should fly toward terrorists, not the legal government that has been fighting international terrorism for several years on its territory."