Republican Presidential Candidates Criticize Trump for Praising North Korea
Candidates Express Concern Over Trump's Foreign Policy Approach
Candidates from both sides of the aisle have criticized Trump's praise for North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un.
Several Republican presidential candidates took aim at former President Donald Trump on Wednesday for praising North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's "very strong" response to the protests in that country. Trump had earlier tweeted that Kim was "a tough guy, but he's very smart" and that he would "get it straightened out very quickly." The candidates who criticized Trump's remarks included former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Pence said that Trump's praise for Kim was "dangerous and irresponsible" and that it " undermines our efforts to hold North Korea accountable for its human rights abuses and its nuclear weapons program." Pompeo said that Trump's remarks were "unhelpful" and that they "undercut our efforts to pressure North Korea to denuclearize." Haley said that Trump's praise for Kim was "a mistake" and that he "should be condemning Kim's regime, not praising it."
The candidates' criticisms of Trump's remarks reflect the growing concern among Republicans about Trump's foreign policy approach. Many Republicans believe that Trump is too willing to cozy up to dictators and that his approach to foreign policy is too transactional. They argue that Trump's foreign policy is damaging America's reputation and standing in the world.
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