U.S. Sen. Martin HeinrichU.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis expressing his deep concerns regarding reports that the Administration is considering a “bloody nose” strategy against North Korea in which the United States would conduct a preemptive, targeted military strike.
“As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I understand the importance of keeping all options on the table, including military options, in terms of negotiations and strategy. However, in the context of military action and North Korea, I have read and seen various war gaming scenarios for the Korean Peninsula, and I am deeply concerned about the potential consequences of a preemptive military strike on North Korea and the risks of miscalculation and retaliation,” Heinrich wrote. “Moreover, without congressional authorization, it is unclear what the legal or constitutional basis would be for the administration to take such action.”
In his letter to Secretary Mattis, Heinrich continued, “North Korea’s nuclear program is perhaps the most complex foreign policy challenge our nation has faced in decades, and I agree with you that diplomacy is the answer to ending the nuclear crisis with North Korea, not war.”
The full text of the letter is below and available here.
