Asked by a reporter Friday morning how he can speak “so passionately about the circumstances that led to Otto Warmbier’s death,” but also “[defend] Kim Jong-Un’s human rights record,” President Trump replied, “You know why? Because I don’t want to see a nuclear weapon destroy you or your family.”

This is revealing. Trump’s embarrassment of praise for the North Korean dictator has rightfully attracted strong and sustained criticism. But the president’s response this morning confirms that his flattery has been more strategic than sincere.

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