Sep 3, 2017

Mattis: Trump wanted to hear all military options for North Korea

AP / Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Defense Secretary Mattis spoke Sunday afternoon from the White House after a meeting with President Trump and other national security officials about Saturday's North Korean nuclear test.

"We have many military options and the president wanted to be briefed on every one of them."

Other quotes:

  • "Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies, will be met with a massive military response — a response both effective and overwhelming."
  • "We're not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea."
  • "Our commitments among the allies are iron-clad."

Go deeper: Trump's latest threat, The cycle of escalation, The countries that do business with North Korea, North Korea's remaining steps, How ready is U.S. to defend itself?

Go deeper