President Donald Trump on Friday again warned North Korea not to attack American interests or allies, as Mr. Trump tweeted out photos of U.S. military forces on the Pacific island of Guam, aiming his remarks directly at the leader of the Pyongyang regime, Kim Jong Un, again saying that any military action by North Korea will meet with a swift and serious U.S. response.
“If he does anything with respect to Guam or any place else that is an American territory or an American ally, he will truly regret it, and regret it fast,” the President said in a Friday afternoon photo op at his golf retreat in New Jersey.
“I hope they are fully going to understand the gravity of what I said,” Mr. Trump told reporters. “And what I said is what I mean.”
Trump says Kim Jong Un “will not get away with what he’s doing”: “He will truly regret it” if he “does anything” https://t.co/7Emgo4VWEq
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 11, 2017
Via pool, Trump's full answer on North Korea pic.twitter.com/DRTwikhLSB
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) August 11, 2017
Earlier in the day, Mr. Trump had sent out a clear message on Twitter as well to Kim and the Pyongyang regime.
“Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely,” the President tweeted.
“Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path,” Mr. Trump added on Friday morning, a day after the President once more bluntly warned the North Koreans not to test U.S. military resolve, after threats by Kim to attack Guam.
Military solutions are now fully in place,locked and loaded,should North Korea act unwisely. Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 11, 2017
Pres. Trump on his recent comments on North Korea: “I hope that they are going to fully understand the gravity of what I said.” pic.twitter.com/RUbIHuKUg1
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 11, 2017
“Let’s see what he does with Guam,” the President told reporters on Thursday, making clear that the U.S. would swiftly respond.
“If he does something in Guam, it will be an event the likes of which nobody has seen before — what will happen in North Korea,” Mr. Trump added.
As for the U.S. military, the Pentagon was quietly making it clear that if force is needed, then it will be available to take on North Korea.
#USAF B-1B Lancer #bombers on Guam stand ready to fulfill USFK’s #FightTonight mission if called upon to do so https://t.co/O3oVeFrNrG pic.twitter.com/IAm2qLwcWY
— U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (@INDOPACOM) August 11, 2017
Asked about "human toll" of possible nuclear confrontation, Defense Secretary Mattis says "it would be catastrophic" https://t.co/rqbwDrrWQi pic.twitter.com/zQOqcwij63
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 11, 2017
On Capitol Hill, Democrats were raising red flags about a possible nuclear showdown with North Korea, with some asking House Speaker Paul Ryan to bring lawmakers back from their summer break, in order to debate issues of using nuclear weapons.
“It is critical that the Trump Administration exhaust all diplomatic options before resorting to military force,” argued Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI).
If President @realDonaldTrump won't take nuclear war off the table, Congress must. My letter to @SpeakerRyan today. pic.twitter.com/GOBPM6SqcZ
— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) August 11, 2017
“The president's escalating rhetoric won't calm tensions or facilitate diplomacy with North Korea,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). “He needs to step back from the brink.”
As for Republicans, there was no evidence that they were deserting the President, or at all spooked over his tough talk against Pyongyang.
“It is entirely unacceptable to allow a nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching our western shores into the hands of Dictator Kim Jong Un,” said Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI).
WPXI