Sen. Chris Murphy
Christopher (Chris) Scott MurphyBiden reignites war powers fight with Syria strike Gun violence prevention groups optimistic background check legislation can pass this Congress Democrats reintroduce gun sale background check legislation MORE (D-Conn.) chided President Trump
Donald TrumpHouse passes voting rights and elections reform bill DEA places agent seen outside Capitol during riot on leave Georgia Gov. Kemp says he'd 'absolutely' back Trump as 2024 nominee MORE's claims that North Korea is no longer a nuclear threat amid reports that the country is ramping up its nuclear fuel production.
Murphy reacted Saturday morning to an NBC News report that said U.S. intelligence officials believe North Korea has increased fuel production for nuclear missiles at several secret research facilities.
"This can’t be true!!! President Trump told us 'North Korea is no longer a nuclear threat.' He said he took care of it," Murphy tweeted.
This can’t be true!!! President Trump told us “North Korea is no longer a nuclear threat”. He said he took care of it. https://t.co/DiKOx4p2Oc
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 30, 2018
The senator, an outspoken critic of Trump, was referencing comments Trump made after he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
"Everybody can now feel much safer than the day I took office. There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea," Trump tweeted shortly after meeting with the North Korean leader.
Just landed - a long trip, but everybody can now feel much safer than the day I took office. There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea. Meeting with Kim Jong Un was an interesting and very positive experience. North Korea has great potential for the future!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2018
The NBC News report, which cited five officials familiar with a U.S. intelligence assessment, indicated that North Korea is attempting to deceive the U.S. and show that it's winding down nuclear production.
"There's no evidence that they are decreasing stockpiles, or that they have stopped their production," one official told the news outlet.
After his summit with Kim in Singapore earlier this month, Trump touted the meeting as an overwhelming success. He has since heaped praise on Kim, complimenting the North Korean leader's negotiating skills and saying he "loves his people." Kim's government is accused of starving people in North Korea and torturing prisoners.
Skeptics of the meeting noted that Trump signed an agreement that provided concessions without receiving a concrete commitment to a timeline and method for irreversible denuclearization. They also pointed out that North Korea has made similar agreements in the past, only to renege.
