With anxiety briefly ticking down on The New York Times story about Trump's "fire and fury" comments being off-the-cuff - as opposed to policy - The Pentagon just turned the dial back on the threats.
Pentagon chief Mattis: N. Korea "should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime" https://t.co/p6CgKokWoP pic.twitter.com/hHeX34fUwD
— CNN (@CNN) August 9, 2017
Defense Secretary James Mattis warned North Korea in stark terms on Wednesday that it faces devastation if it does not end its pursuit of nuclear weapons: "The DPRK must choose to stop isolating itself and stand down its pursuit of nuclear weapons," Mattis said in a statement adding "The DPRK should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people."
Mattis's comments echo Trump's bellicose outburst on Tuesday in which he warned North Korea of "fire and fury" if it takes aggressive steps toward the United States.
Some have suggested that Mattis' remarks could be part of a coordinated effort with the White House to send a tough signal to both North Korea and China. As a reminder, North Korea's initial response was to call Trump's cluff, warning later on Tuesday it could launch an attack on Guam.
Mattis makes note of Trump’s involvement in the tense situation and writes that the president “was informed of the growing threat last December and on taking office his first orders to me emphasized the readiness of our ballistic missile defense and nuclear deterrent forces.”
Mattis also underscored a pointe made by Rex Tillerson earlier, in which he said that Trump was seeking to send a "strong message" to Kim Jong Un.
"The United States and our allies have the demonstrated capabilities and unquestionable commitment to defend ourselves from an attack," he wrote. "While our State Department is making every effort to resolve this global threat through diplomatic means, it must be noted that the combined allied militaries now possess the most precise, rehearsed and robust defensive and offensive capabilities on Earth," he said in the statement. "The DPRK regime's actions will continue to be grossly overmatched by ours and would lose any arms race or conflict it initiates."
The full Pentagon statement is below:
"The United States and our allies have the demonstrated capabilities and unquestionable commitment to defend ourselves from an attack.
Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council's unified voice, and statements from governments the world over, who agree the DPRK poses a threat to global security and stability.
The DPRK must choose to stop isolating itself and stand down its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The DPRK should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people.
President Trump was informed of the growing threat last December and on taking office his first orders to me emphasized the readiness of our ballistic missile defense and nuclear deterrent forces.
While our State Department is making every effort to resolve this global threat through diplomatic means, it must be noted that the combined allied militaries now possess the most precise, rehearsed and robust defensive and offensive capabilities on Earth.
The DPRK regime's actions will continue to be grossly overmatched by ours and would lose any arms race or conflict it initiates."
Roughly translated - stop... or you'll lose (bigly).