The White House has directed the U.S. military to draw up options for increasing the American troop presence in Panama to achieve President Trump’s goal of “reclaiming” the Panama Canal, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the planning.
During a joint address to Congress last week, Trump said, "to further enhance our national security, my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal.” Since then, administration officials have not said what “reclaiming” means.
I just highly doubt it would be as sudden, I feel like Trump pokes and prods their ideas.
Sees what kind of push back he gets, either moves forward or begins to put pressure on those who don’t quit, and tries to fire and replace others as well. Rinse and repeat until he gets his way.