Trump declares U.S. ‘locked and loaded’ in new North Korea threat

The “Ulchi-Freedom Guardian” exercises are held annually and cause outrage from North Korea, with Pyongyang calling them preparation for war.

Earlier in the week, with the same schoolyard bluster, Trump told reporters, “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States”.

During their separate call, Trump and Xi also hailed the adoption of a United Nations Security Council resolution targeting the North as an “important and necessary step toward achieving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula”, a White House statement read.

Speaking once again from his golf club in Bedminster New Jersey, Trump reiterated that threats against the USA would not be tolerated. “Hopefully, Kim Jong Un will find another path!”, Trump tweeted.

It was not clear exactly what sort of “military solutions” Trump was referring to or what precisely would constitute unwise action by the North Korean leader.

“This is a moment the president needs to be very serious”, Kinzinger said, cautioning Trump not to be distracted by some other “shiny red ball of the day”.

Trump warned North Korea Tuesday it will be met with “fire and fury” if it continues to threaten his country.

“We will see what happens”.

The US would suffer “a shameful defeat and final doom” if it “persists in extreme military adventure, sanctions and pressure”, its officials said.

“Fight tonight” has long been the motto of U.S. forces in South Korea to show they are always ready for combat on the Korean Peninsula.

USA tensions with North Korea took another turn Friday morning when President Trump opted to again highlight the threat the US military could pose to Pyongyang, tweeting that “military solutions are now fully in place” and “locked and loaded” should North Korea “act unwisely”.

USA forces on the island were not immediately available for comment. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Friday his government would back the USA if North Korea attacked.

Guam governor Eddie Calvo said officials have not raised the territory’s threat level despite the threat, and has apparently been assured in a phone call from Mr Trump that Guam is safe.

The US island territory’s Office of Civil Defence began distributing fact sheets, Preparing for an Imminent Missile Threat, on Friday, to help people prepare for an attack.

I take issue with your editorial that includes a description of “residents of Guam glancing nervously skyward” (“Alternative fact of the Week: Trump’s nuclear arsenal”, August 10). It’s a plan to take out North Korea.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis appeared intent Thursday on easing the tension, describing the prospect of war as “catastrophic” and saying diplomacy remained the priority.

“President Trump’s statements were unhelpful, risky and raised tensions with North Korea higher than we have previously seen”, says Representative Bordallo. “That’s where I’ve dealt with the North Koreans in the past, when these little incidents provoke the potential for real military action on either side”. No doubt, the country’s nuclear missile development has progressed at a faster pace than anticipated by the US government.

Even though Trump has made it clear the military option is on the table, for any leader, launching a comprehensive military attack on North Korea is an extremely hard decision to make because the consequences are so hard to control. “South Korea military exercises”.

“Unfortunately the rhetoric in Washington and Pyongyang is starting to go off the charts”, Lavrov said. “We still hope and believe that common sense will prevail”.