But critics are questioning why the president himself isn’t providing a clearer picture of the administration’s response to Syria, a decision Obama has toiled over for months.

“The American people need to hear directly from the president on this,” a GOP Senate aide told The Washington Examiner. “Why isn’t he the one outlining the White House’s response?”

In essence, administration officials are trying to keep Obama from getting ahead of his own message at the G-8 gathering, where he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others. The Russians remain skeptical of U.S. intelligence assessments in Syria.