Idaho Sen. Jim Risch (R) defended President Donald Trump’s threats to unleash “fire and fury” on North Korea Tuesday as tensions over the country’s nuclear weapons program continue to escalate.
Late last week, the United Nations Security Council passed new economic sanctions on North Korea, causing the country’s leaders to warn it will take “physical action” as a response.
Appearing on CNN’s The Situation Room, Risch called the situation “dangerous” but wouldn’t reject President Trump’s threat to unleash “power the likes of which this world has never seen before.”
“I’m not going to sit here and criticize the president. He is the president of the United States, he has said what’s on his mind. I think the people in Pyongyang need to listen very carefully to what he said and they’re going to have to make a decision as to how they want to go forward,” he said.
At least one Republican is dismissing the comments.
According to the Associated Press, Sen. John McCain said “great leaders” don’t threaten unless they’re ready to act, noting he isn’t sure if Trump is ready to act.
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