Syria Will ‘Pay a Heavy Price’ for Another Chemical Attack, White House Says “If, however, Mr. Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price.” While the White House’s motivation in releasing the highly unusual statement is uncertain, it is possible that Mr. Trump or his advisers decided a public warning to Mr. Assad might deter another chemical strike. In the statement, the White House said that Mr. Assad’s preparations appeared similar to the ones Western intelligence officials believe the Syrian government made before a chemical attack in April that killed dozens of Syrians, including children.
