Democrats are calling President Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump denies calling Sessions 'mentally retarded,' 'dumb Southerner' Pressley blasts Trump as 'racist, misogynistic, truly empathy-bankrupt' Capuano falls to Democratic challenger Pressley in Mass. primary MORE's praise of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "embarrassing" while criticizing him for offering concessions in exchange of vague promises from Pyongyang.
“In his haste to reach an agreement, President Trump elevated North Korea to the level of the United States while preserving the regime’s status quo," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro PelosiNRCC memo: GOP 'well-positioned' to keep House and prevent 'blue wave' Pelosi dismisses question about support for Speakership as ‘least important’ reporter could ask GOP challengers hit vulnerable Dems over Trump tax law votes MORE (D-Calif.) said in a scathing statement.
She said Trump had handed Kim concessions in return for “vague promises” and no “clear and comprehensive pathway to denuclearization and non-proliferation.”
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerLiberals should stop 'whining' about Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing, says Buck Sexton Dems can’t ‘Bork’ Kavanaugh, and have only themselves to blame Dems more deeply divided over Israel MORE (D-N.Y.) also ripped Trump, saying on the Senate floor that the U.S. has “legitimized a brutal dictator.”
“It is worrisome, very worrisome that this joint statement is so imprecise,” Schumer said. “What the U.S. has gained is vague and unverifiable at best. What North Korea has gained, however, is tangible and lasting ... We've legitimized a brutal dictator who's starved his own people," Schumer said.
Other Democrats were even harsher in their criticism.
Sen. Brian Schatz
Brian Emanuel SchatzLive coverage: Trump's court pick presents his case at contentious hearing Trump to tap current EPA official for chemical safety office: report Overnight Defense: Trump says 'no reason' for South Korea war games right now | Mattis tries to clear confusion | Arizona begins remembrances for McCain | Inhofe poised to take Armed Services gavel MORE (D-Hawaii) said Trump's actions represented “an abdication of American leadership."
"Just embarrassing,” Schatz (D-Hawaii) wrote in a tweet.
This is an abdication of American leadership. Just embarrassing. https://t.co/G6uCVSvj2E
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) June 12, 2018
Rep. Steve Cohen
Stephen (Steve) Ira CohenImpeachment debate moves to center of midterm fight Dem lawmaker predicts Trump Jr., Kushner will be indicted by Mueller Dem leaders fend off calls to impeach Trump MORE (D-Tenn.) and Sen. Chris Murphy
Christopher (Chris) Scott MurphySituation in Yemen should lead us to return to a constitutional foreign policy Overnight Defense: Biden honors McCain at Phoenix memorial service | US considers sending captured ISIS fighters to Gitmo and Iraq | Senators press Trump on ending Yemen civil war Senators press Trump administration on Yemen civil war MORE (D-Conn.) were incredulous over Trump's choice of words.
Pointing to North Korea's long record of abusing its own citizens, Cohen questioned how Trump could talk of Kim loving his country.
Loves it so much that he has them impoverished and enslaved except for those he murders.Loves his country? https://t.co/i762TPmKxT
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) June 12, 2018
Murphy said Trump was legitimizing North Korea's human rights abuses and faulted Trump for agreeing to end military exercises or "war games" with South Korea while talks with the North continue.
"U.S. gives up one of our biggest negotiating chips - military exercises. North Korea ends up BACKTRACKING on previous promises on denuclearization. What the hell?" Murphy tweeted.
Kim’s gulags, public executions, planned starvation, are legitimized on the world stage.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 12, 2018
U.S. gives up one of our biggest negotiating chips - military exercises.
North Korea ends up BACKTRACKING on previous promises on denuclearization.
What the hell?
Trump after the summit called Kim a "very talented man" who "loves his country very much," adding that it was an "honor" to meet the North Korean leader.
“A worthy negotiator ... a very worthy, very smart negotiator. We had a terrific day and we learned a lot about each other and our countries,” Trump said.
The president's remarks were surely intended to set the table for fruitful negotiations aimed at denuclearizing North Korea, but they left him open to charges of hypocrisy given his own tough past rhetoric toward Kim.
U.S. college student Otto Warmbier died last year after being abused during a 17-month detention in North Korea.
But when he was asked about human rights abuses on Tuesday, Trump downplayed them, saying abuses happen in “a lot of places."
“I believe it's a rough situation over there,” Trump said during a press conference. “It's rough in a lot of places, by the way, not just there.”
