President Donald Trump, whose religious advisor recently advised him to attack North Korea, told an assembled group of supporters in Bedminister, New Jersey, that he now thinks that his "Fire And Fury" threat against the despotic nation was "not tough enough," according to The Huffington Post on Thursday. Trump continued, stating that North Korea "has been doing this to our country for a long time," and that "it's about time that somebody stick up for the people of this country."
'Not tough enough'
Trump continued his comments, acknowledging that there are people who are "questioning" his "fire and fury" statement from earlier this week.
In that statement, the President warned that North Korea's continued missile tests would be met with "fire and fury" unlike any that "the world has ever seen before," according to The Washington Post on Tuesday. Trump's statement was criticized by members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, including GOP Senator John McCain, who stated that "all it's going to do is bring us closer to a serious confrontation," according to Axios on Tuesday.
In response to sanctions imposed on North Korea by the United Nations emanating from that nation's escalating missile tests, Pyongyang, North Korea's largest city, promised "thousand fold" repercussions against the United States earlier this week. The war of words is in full swing, and many observers have expressed concern that it could result in a hot war, perhaps even a nuclear war, with unknown ramifications on a global scale.
Beyond 'fire and fury'
President Trump did not state what is tougher than "fire and fury," nor did he elaborate on his specific plans pertaining to North Korea. When asked whether he is planning a pre-emptive strike against the rogue nation, Trump stated, "We don't talk about that," according to the Huffington Post on Thursday.
At the beginning of his presidency, Trump stated that he never discusses military actions before they are carried out; although he has not hesitated to make threats and to create an atmosphere of uncertainty on a global scale.
On Thursday, Trump stated that North Korea needs to "get their act together" or the rogue nation would "be in trouble," according to the Huffington Post.
Once again, Trump offered no specifics.
Trump now: "North Korea better get their act together or they are going to be in trouble like few nations have ever been in trouble" pic.twitter.com/3QTGiZCxpL
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) August 10, 2017
North Korea no 'imminent threat'
President Trump also disagreed with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's statement that he does not consider North Korea an "imminent threat" against the United States. When questioned about Tillerson's remarks, Trump stated that "there were no mixed messages" on the matter from the Administration, according to the Huffington Post on Thursday.
