President Donald Trump on Thursday pushed back against critics who accused him of revealing plans for potential military strikes on Syria a day earlier, stressing that he "never said when an attack on Syria would take place."
"Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all!" Trump tweeted.
"In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS," he added. "Where is our 'Thank you America?'"
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/984374422587965440
Trump's tweet came one day after he sent a warning to Russia on Twitter about the United States firing missiles at targets in Syria in retaliation for a suspected chemical attack on civilians in an enclave near Damascus over the weekend. The U.S. and several allied governments, along with analysts, commentators, and Syrian activist groups, have said the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is responsible for the attack.
"Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria," Trump wrote. "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!"
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/984022625440747520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ffreebeacon.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D979732%26action%3Dedit
Russia is allied with the Assad regime in the ongoing Syrian conflict.
Trump's tweet from Wednesday prompted several people in the media to castigate the president for broadcasting his military plans publicly, including MSNBC's "Morning Joe" co-host Joe Scarborough.
The Trump administration is still discussing potential military options to use to respond to the weekend's suspected chemical attack. France and Britain have said they will join the U.S. to uphold the global ban on the use of chemical weapons.