Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump quashed Defense Secretary James Mattis' suggestion to obtain congressional authorization ahead of last week's strikes in Syria, military and administration officials told The New York Times.

According to the Times report, the officials said Trump's choice to override Mattis' guidance to get congressional approval for the strikes was because he wanted his tweets to be supported by action, despite warnings that not erring on the side of caution could precipitate a larger dispute with Russia.

The ultimate plan that was carried out was the compromise between Trump and Mattis, the Times reported.

In a statement on Wednesday, Pentagon spokesperson Dana White called the Times' story "blatantly false."

Last Friday night, Trump announced that the US -- alongside UK and French allies -- had initiated precision strikes in Syria as a response to an alleged chemical weapons attack against civilians by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Read More