Trump: Military ready to retaliate
Rhetoric aimed at N. Korea escalates
BEDMINSTER, N.J. — President Donald Trump on Friday issued fresh threats of swift and forceful retaliation against North Korea, declaring the U.S. military “locked and loaded” and warning that the communist country’s leader “will regret it fast” if he takes any action against U.S. territories or allies.
The warnings came in a cascade of unscripted statements throughout the day, each ratcheting up a rhetorical standoff between the two nuclear nations. The president appeared to draw another red line that would trigger a U.S. attack against North Korea and “big, big trouble” for its leader, Kim Jong Un. Mr. Trump’s comments, however, did not appear to be backed by significant military mobilization on either side of the Pacific, and an important, quiet diplomatic channel remained open.
“If he utters one threat in the form of an overt threat — which by the way he has been uttering for years and his family has been uttering for years — or he does anythingwith respect to Guam or anyplace else that’s an American territory or an American ally, he
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday that he’s considering possible military action against Venezuela in response to the country’s descent into political chaos following President Nicolas Maduro’s power grab.
Speaking to reporters at his Bedminster, N.J., golf club, Mr. Trump bemoaned the country’s growing humanitarian crisis and declared that all options remain on the table — including a potential military intervention.
“We have many options for Venezuela and by the way, I’m not going to rule out a military option,” Mr. Trump volunteered, adding, “A military operation and military option is certainly something that we could pursue.”
Mr. Trump’s comments mark a serious escalation in rhetoric for the U.S., which has up until now stressed a regional approach that encourages Latin American allies to escalate pressure on the Maduro regime. Hours before Mr. Trump’s comments, a senior administration official speaking on condition of anonymity stressed that approach while briefing reporters on Vice President Mike Pence’s trip to the region later this week.
Mr. Trump’s comments are sure to focus new attention on Mr. Pence’s six-day tour of the region, which will include stops in Cartagena, Colombia; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Santiago, Chile; and Panama City.
The trip was already sure to be dominated by discussion of Venezuela, with Mr. Pence expected to call on the leaders to continue to pressure the Maduro government and encourage others in the region to do the same. But Mr. Trump’s comments are likely to upend the conversations, with leaders potentially pressing Mr. Pence for reassurance that Mr. Trump won’t go through with his military threat.