Interview with Republican Senator James Risch of Idaho
JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: And we're back with our world lead. North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un will be closely monitoring President Trump's speech to South Korea's parliament in just a matter of hours, no doubt. Today, the Kim regime defiantly promised to continue to build up its nuclear weapons program. CNN's Will Ripley is in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. It's his 17th trip to the country. Will, what is North Korea listening for in the president's speech this evening do you think?</s>WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they want to hear, first of all, if he's going to put North Korea back on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, something a decision that the Trump administration has been hinting at for days. They were taken off that list about 1 0 years ago when they were negotiating back then about North Korea's nuclear program. We know how that has turned out. They now have a growing arsenal and increasingly sophisticated weapons program, including missiles they say could be capable of reaching the mainland</s>U.S. TAPPER: And, Will, I know it would be considered provocative if the Kim regime conducted a launch while President Trump is in the region. Are there any plans that you know of?</s>RIPLEY: If it were going to happen, it would likely happen, history shows us, within the next couple of hours, because they tend to do these launches in the early morning hours. So, we'll have to watch very carefully as this evening here in the East Coast progresses, morning here in Pyongyang. There have been indications according to South Korean intelligence of heightened active at missile launch research facilities and perhaps even more troubling, significant uptick in activity at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in northern North Korea, near the border with China. That was observed by analysts with the North Korea watchdog group 38 North.</s>TAPPER: And, Will, we heard President Trump earlier today say the progress is being made with North Korea, with diplomacy. Have you seen any evidence of progress?</s>RIPLEY: On the ground here, absolutely not. In fact, we met with officials last night who reiterated that they feel this is a bad situation that has only gotten worse with the United States. Yes, President Trump took a more measured tone when he was speaking in South Korea. We'll have to see what he says in his speech in the coming hours. But from the North Korean perspective, they look at all the rhetoric leading up to this, the insults, the bellicose statements and, then, of course, the actions of the United States. There were joint military exercises due to kick off in the coming few days involving three U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups off the Pacific. This could be as many as 30 ships, just on the U.S. side. It's another massive show of force, the exact kind of show of force that North Korea uses as justification to develop weapons of mass destruction and test them, perhaps at a highly sensitive time such as a presidential visit here in Asia. North Koreans have been saying for awhile now they want to send the Trump administration a clear message. They don't think they can talk, at least not right now, until they prove to the U.S. that they have in their view an effective nuclear deterrent. But they're not ruling out diplomacy altogether. It seems they want to develop a nuclear program, round it off, in their words, and then when they feel they're in a position of strength, then they might be willing to have discussions. But all indications from North Koreans at least right now, more tests to come.</s>TAPPER: All right. Will Ripley live for us inside of North Korea, thank you so much. Joining me now is Republican Senator James Risch of Idaho, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Intelligence Committees. Senator, good to see you. Thanks so much for joining us.</s>SEN. JAMES RISCH (R), IDAHO: Thank you. Thank you for having me.</s>TAPPER: So, Kim Jong-un's regime has test fired 22 missiles during 15 tests since February and conducted a nuclear test as well. It's further protected its technology with early launch -- with each launch, rather, and they've shown no willingness so far to negotiate. Has there been any progress that you can point to?</s>RISCH: Well, I don't know exactly what you mean. But if the question mean -- if you're asking whether there's bee progress, as far as negotiations are concerned --</s>TAPPER: Right.</s>RISCH: -- obviously, I can't speak to that. I can't confirm or deny that. I heard what the president said just as you said. It's not my place to either confirm or deny what he's saying. He would -- you'd need somebody to ask him the question for him to refine that.</s>TAPPER: All right. Fair enough. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, your colleague from Illinois, said today she believes President Trump is leaning towards a preemptive strike against North Korea. If North Korea does test fire a missile while President Trump is in the region, how would you want the U.S. to respond?</s>RISCH: Well, obviously, there's -- there's always contingent plans for what to do, given a certain situation. I don't know where Senator Duckworth gets that information from, where she thinks he's leaning towards a preemptive strike. I would disagree with that and disagree with it vehemently. Certainly, there is always conditions under which a first strike could take place, but, look, there has been no discussion of that. I know of no information that indicates that he is leaning in that direction. So, that's really not helpful I think at this point.</s>TAPPER: The president does seem to be striking a different tone in Asia compared to some of the things he said in the United States, fire and fury. Calling Kim Jong-un rocket man. Is this strategic in your view? Is this being done on purpose?</s>RISCH: Well, look, the Korean people themselves are divided on this issue because they're a free country just like we are and they have varying opinions. In addition to that, President Moon obviously is much more measured in his tone than President Trump has been. And I think what President Trump has shown in the last 72 hours is accommodation towards what South Korea's position is. Having said that, he has not walked back at all his determination that he's going to defend the country and defend the allies, and I'm sure that that is what he wants to convey to our allies over there. They remain under our nuclear umbrella and he intends to stay that way. Having said that, yes, there is no doubt in the last 72 hours that he is more measured. You know, he gets a lot of criticism because his rhetoric, his diction is stronger than what a lot of people would like. But I'm one that believes that when you're dealing with Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong-un needs to have an absolute clear understanding of what President Trump is thinking and what the red lines are that are out there and needs to understand he's not dealing with Barack Obama anymore. He's dealing with somebody who is completely inalterably committed to defend the United States of America, our allies and our personnel around the world. And he's going to do what is necessary to do that. I don't think he's backed -- walked that back at all and I certainly don't want him to.</s>TAPPER: Senator, what do you make of criticism -- speaking of President Obama, what do you make of the criticism that President Trump's continued threats to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal might deter North Korea from thinking that the United States can be trusted to uphold a nuclear deal and maybe even keep them from coming to the table?</s>RISCH: Yes, well, that's real simple. The deal that was made with Iran was not a deal made by the people of the United States of America through their elected representatives. It was an executive agreement signed by the president of the United States. We all said it at that time that it was merely an executive agreement. If indeed a treaty is negotiated, which is all an agreement is between nations, it needs to be submitted to Congress as treaties are. Once we sign, we're all-in, Republicans, Democrats, everyone will get behind it. When you have something that was as politically steeped as the Iran deal was, it's going to be a problem. Simply saying there that's done and putting a signature to it doesn't get it done.</s>TAPPER: All right. Republican Senator James Risch of Idaho -- thank you so much, sir. Always good to see you.</s>RISCH: Thank you, Jake.</s>TAPPER: Were learning new details now about the disturbing background of a man who killed 25 people and an unborn child in a Texas church. His escape from a mental health facility, accusations of rape -- many, many red flags coming to light. Stay with us.