Press Releases

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement:

“The President's efforts to increase pressure on China to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs are both prudent and justified.  Any excessive saber rattling against the regime of the North's young hothead, on the other hand, risks a military confrontation that would be disastrous for all on the peninsula. 

“If there is a diplomatic route to avoid a confrontation with North Korea, that pathway necessarily runs through China.  As the President recently acknowledged, China does not have determinative sway over North Korean actions, but it nonetheless has greater leverage over the hermit kingdom than any other country.  China provides the economic lifeline that keeps the most heavily-sanctioned nation in the world from collapse.  And while China will do everything it can to avoid an implosion of the North Korean regime and unification of the peninsula under a pro-western government, it can do far more to curtail Kim Jong Un's nuclear and missile programs.

“Acceleration of the implementation of theater missile defense (THAAD) and an increased U.S. naval presence are two steps that the Chinese do not welcome, but send an important message to Beijing that if China is not willing to do more, the U.S. will take steps to protect itself and its allies.  China would be wise to spend less time sanctioning South Korea for agreeing to THAAD, and more time cracking down on the threat posed by North Korea's belligerent actions.  The U.S. should also let China know that it will be necessary to impose secondary sanctions on those doing business with Pyongyang -- including Chinese banks -- if China does not act more aggressively to stop North Korea.

“Casual talk by the President or Vice President -- or tweets -- about solving the North Korea problem with military force risk a confrontation that could quickly and unpredictably embroil the region in a shooting war.  If the primary audience is China, to further encourage its intervention with North Korea, it may have a laudable impact.  But the North Korean dictator is also listening and these implicit threats may provoke a reaction that makes the problem worse, not better.  None of the military options that are on the table is the least bit attractive.  Even without resorting to the use of its nuclear weapons, North Korea can decimate South Korea's capital, Seoul, with conventional artillery.  If North Korea responds to military threats with further missile or nuclear tests, or a limited conventional strike against South Korea, President Trump may be forced to back up his strong words with military action or appear a paper tiger. 

“Finally, unless in response to a direct threat to the United States, our service-members and allies, the President must come to Congress prior to using any force against North Korea. Any military action against North Korea would bring with it the substantial possibility of a spiraling crisis, pulling the United States into a potentially devastating conflict. Whether he calls it a red line or not, the President would be wise to consider the consequences of any threats he makes, and whether backing them up will lead to a confrontation that is in no one's interest.”