Trump huddles with military aides on Syria response amid fight with Russians

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Pentagon responds to Trump's 'get ready' taunt to Russia on Syria The Pentagon has responded to President Trump's warning to Russia to "get ready" for missile strikes on its ally Syria. Nathan Rousseau Smith has the story.

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."

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.

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!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

Our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War. There is no reason for this. Russia needs us to help with their economy, something that would be very easy to do, and we need all nations to work together. Stop the arms race? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

Much of the bad blood with Russia is caused by the Fake & Corrupt Russia Investigation, headed up by the all Democrat loyalists, or people that worked for Obama. Mueller is most conflicted of all (except Rosenstein who signed FISA & Comey letter). No Collusion, so they go crazy! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

"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."

In another series of tweets, Trump bemoaned the state of U.S.-Russia relationship, saying it "is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War." He suggested, "stop the arms race?"

At another point, Trump blamed the bad relationship on Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his investigation into links between the Trump campaign and Russians who sought to influence the 2016 presidential election through hacks and fake news.

"Much of the bad blood with Russia is caused by the Fake & Corrupt Russia Investigation," tweeted Trump, who has been accused of being overly indulgent to Russian President Vladimir Putin.