Is Trump backing away from attacking Syria?

[left-of-center2012]

White House Veers From Missiles Coming to Diplomacy on Syria

VP Pence, not Trump, chaired the national security meeting on response.
When asked why Trump didn’t lead the Wednesday session, the official said: “Because he wasn’t in attendance, okay?”

The White House sent mixed signals Wednesday about its plans to respond to a chemical weapons attack in Syria, veering from warnings of inbound missiles to the possibility of a diplomatic outcome.

Defense Secretary James Mattis told reporters Trump administration officials were “still assessing” possible options.
“We stand ready to provide military options,” he said, offering a carefully worded qualifier, “if they are appropriate as the president determined.”

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ repeatedly said the president and his national security team continue to discuss “a number of options,” reminding reporters “all of those options are still on the table.”

“The president’s national security team met today,” she said, adding matter-of-factly: “That meeting was chaired by the vice president, [and] discussed a number of options.”

Asked for a second time in a matter of minutes if no U.S. missiles might be fired and a diplomatic solution remains possible, she replied: “It could be, but there are a lot of other options that are also on the table.”

(Maybe Putin told Trump to chill)

[ProudLib72]

1. No, it means absolutely nothing

tRump is capricious, has an explosive anger issue, and holds grudges. Whoever is talking to him is likely telling him to back down. He is listening to them for the moment and ONLY for the moment. As soon as someone else gives him advice (and there is no telling who that might be nowadays), he will turn 180 degrees.

You can imagine the frustration the people around him feel. That frustration is exemplified in the official saying, "Because he wasn't in attendance, okay?" tRump is a loose cannon. No one at all can predict what he will do.

[Leghorn21]

2. Cheezus, look at these punk motherfuckers:

When asked why Trump didn’t lead the Wednesday session, the official said: “Because he wasn’t in attendance, okay?”

[left-of-center2012]

3. They're very adult

[LenaBaby61]

4. Well .....

It all depends upon what the ruskie puppet master putin wants his big, bloated, treasonous, orange, lying, racist, pussy-grabbing, stupid POS to do

v

[CentralMass]

5. That is great.

[gratuitous]

6. He's already telegraphed his intentions

And wouldn't you just know it? Those darned Syrians have moved their aircraft! Trump is going to make some potholes in some airstrips again, the Syrians will fill them in, and they'll be back up to speed within 72 hours.

Adam Silverman at Balloon Juice has a lengthy post about it:

https://www.balloon-juice.com/2018/04/11/no-plan-survives-contact-with-the-enemy-military-strikes-and-the-strategic-complications-at-the-heart-of-the-syrian-problem-set/

[demosincebirth]

7. Most likely - never believe he says. We should

Know that

[secondwind]

8. Trump is in meltdown mode over the Cohen raids. Cant handle much more.

[left-of-center2012]

9. When Sarah Huckleberry Sanders was asked ...

(We were told (after the attack) to expect a response/action in 24 to 48 hours)

She said:

"Well, President Trump's talked about it, and that's a response."