The Pentagon directed questions on President Trump’s promise to aim “nice and new and ‘smart’” missiles at Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces back to the White House, refusing to comment on potential future actions.
Trump started his day with a salvo of tweets directed at Russia after reports emerged from the country that the Kremlin would order all missiles fired by the U.S. at Syrian government forces to be shot down.
In his Twitter barrage, Trump said, “Get ready Russia, because (missiles) will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart!’”
When asked about the president’s statement, a Pentagon spokeswoman demurred.
“The department does not comment on potential future military actions. I refer you to the White House to characterize the president’s tweet,” said Lt. Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich.
“As the president noted on April 8, the chemical weapons attack by the Syrian regime against innocent civilians in Duma, Syria on April 7 was horrifying, and demands an immediate response from the international community.”
The threat to rain down missiles on Syria is a direct contrast to Trump’s promise not to tell America’s enemies what he’s planning on doing militarily. He frequently criticized former President Barack Obama for his administration making their war plans publicly known.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis simply said the military was ready to act when asked about a possible retaliatory strike.
“We stand ready to provide military options if they are appropriate,” he said.
Mattis did not answer a question on whether he’s concerned Trump is telegraphing the country’s military moves.
The Pentagon has often been put in an awkward position by the president’s statements.
Earlier this month, Defense Department officials were caught off-guard when Trump said the U.S. would be leaving Syria “very soon.”
Another Trump tweet sent off a monthslong policymaking endeavor in the Pentagon when the president ordered the military to stop accepting transgender people into their ranks. At the time, the Pentagon reportedly had no advance warning the tweet was coming and it took until March for Pentagon officials to come up with a formal policy.
Trump’s desires for a military parade and a “space force” also caught the Pentagon by surprise after Trump mused about them in public. With both ideas, the Pentagon initially referred comment back to the White House to get the proper read on the president’s meaning.
