U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran returned to Washington on Sunday for a classified briefing on North Korea. Speaking to constituents in Topeka last week, Moran said he’s pessimistic about a diplomatic solution.
Moran said he supports continued efforts to get China’s help in brokering an agreement to halt North Korea’s development of a nuclear arsenal and missiles capable reaching the U.S. mainland.
But he said he fears a diplomatic solution is becoming less likely.
“The can has been kicked so long," Moran said. "They are so close that I can’t imagine the circumstance in which China rides in on the white horse and solves this problem.”
Several at the Topeka meeting questioned Trump’s temperament and fitness for office – charging that his recent comments had escalated tensions between the U.S. and North Korea.
Moran said despite the president's sinking poll numbers, Trump remains the nation’s commander-in-chief, and Moran cautioned against any talk of censuring him or removing him from office.
Jim McLean is managing director of KMUW's Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KMUW, Kansas Public Radio and KCUR covering health, education and politics in Kansas. Follow him on Twitter @jmcleanks.