During a White House press conference on Monday, President Trump was questioned about whether he’d reached out to the families of the four U.S. soldiers who were killed in an ambush attack in Niger. Although the attack occurred nearly two weeks ago, Trump said he’s waiting for "a little time to pass" before speaking with the families. 

He then went on to say past presidents, including Barack Obama, didn’t make calls to families of fallen soldiers.  

"The traditional way, if you look at President Obama and other presidents, most of them didn't make calls. A lot of them didn't make calls," Trump said in the Rose Garden.

"I've written personal letters. They've been sent or they're going out tonight, but they were during the weekend," the president said of his correspondence with families of the soldiers in Niger.

"I like to call when it's appropriate, when I think I'm able to do it," Trump added. "They have made the ultimate sacrifice, so generally I would say that I like to call. I'm going to be calling them."