washington president donald trump decline friday explain mean describe gather military leaders calm storm white house say mischievous make remark press mean thursday comment u.s. leader decline elaborate tell reporters find out white house spokeswoman sarah sanders also decline say trump mean ask whether trump mischievous sanders deny mess press think serious world issue think north korea iran continue bad actors president somebody go always look ways protect americans sanders say leon panetta former defense secretary cia director say trump remark would something really worry previous u.s. president say trump comment appear follow pattern establish twitter begin assume get attention proclaim kind national policy think responsible ... think instance probably take deep breath try assume make play attention panetta tell cnn indication strategy policy behind statement add trump make calm storm comment photo opportunity dinner u.s. military leaders wive dinner follow meet trump military leaders discuss iran north korea afghanistan fight islamic state president also appear criticize military leaders thursday move slowly provide advice move forward also expect provide broad range military options need much fast pace know government bureaucracy slow depend overcome obstacles bureaucracy say ask trump felt like military leaders deliberately slow advise sanders say all know person like take action take quickly say want options table make quick decision trump decline explain 'calm storm remark