Donald Trump says Syria attack could be soon or 'not so soon at all'

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Trump says Syria attack will be met 'forcefully' President Donald Trump says he'll "forcefully" respond to an alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria. Trump made the remark in the Cabinet Room of the White House during a meeting Monday evening with his top military leaders. (April 9)

WASHINGTON — A day after saying missiles would be flying toward Syria, President Trump sowed uncertainty about his plans Thursday by claiming he never said "when" there would be an attack, and reserving a final decision for at least another day.

"Could be very soon or not so soon at all!" Trump said in a morning tweet.

Later in the day, after Trump had met with his national security team, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said, "we are continuing to assess intelligence and are engaged in conversations with our partners and allies."

Trump spoke Thursday with key allies French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May.

“They agreed it was vital that the use of chemical weapons did not go unchallenged, and on the need to deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime," a Downing Street spokesman said in a statement.

“They agreed to keep working closely together on the international response.”

In his tweet about timing, Trump also claimed success in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria and elsewhere, but said he was not getting enough credit.

"In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS," Trump tweeted. "Where is our 'Thank you America?'"

Trump later told reporters that decisions about a Syrian response will be made "fairly soon," and that "it's too bad that the world puts us in a position like that."

Questions about the timetable came a day after Trump signaled an attack in a response to a Russian threat to shoot down U.S. missiles aimed at Syria.

"Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria," Trump tweeted Wednesday. "Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and 'smart!'"

Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS. Where is our “Thank you America?” — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2018

A U.S. attack on Syria would be in a response to a chemical weapons attack on anti-government rebels, one that Trump and other officials blame on leader Bashar Assad. In his tweet at the Russians, Trump told them, "you shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!"

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

More: All eyes on Syria as U.S. weighs military strike: Here's the latest

Trump's national security team huddled at the White House on Wednesday to discuss the response to Syria. The president is also speaking with allies in Great Britain and France about a possible coordinated effort, though German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday her country would not participate in possible military action in Syria.

May and her Cabinet, meanwhile, met in London on Thursday and "agreed on the need to take action to alleviate humanitarian distress and to deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime," said a statement from Downing Street.

Macron, the French president, said he had "proof" that the Assad government mounted the chemical weapons attack. The French president said he would decide soon whether to back a military response.

"We have a number of options," said White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, "and all of those options are still on the table."

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."

In another series of tweets on Wednesday, Trump bemoaned the state of relations between the United States and Russia. At one point, he blamed the tensions on Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his investigation into Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.