Chris Murphy: Hard to address North Korea with ‘gutted diplomatic leadership’

“North Korea is the hardest problem out there. No obvious solution. But if a path exists, hard to find it w gutted diplomatic leadership,” Murphy said on Twitter.

Tensions between the United States and North Korea escalated after the placement of new U.N. sanctions on the Kim Jong Un-controlled state in response to its recent ballistic missile tests. Following the unanimous approval of the $1 billion sanctions bill, North Korea ramped up its criticism of the U.S., which introduced the legislation.

On Tuesday, it was reported that North Korea may have the ability to fire a miniaturized nuclear device from a missile and hit the United States.

“I’m worried about Trump’s bellicosity on NKorea. I’m more worried that he has ZERO senior people who know how to solve crises like this,” Murphy tweeted.

North Korea threatened launching missiles at the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam after President Trump said on Tuesday that North Korea would be met with “fire and fury” if it continues its hostile actions and rhetoric against the United States.

“Trump knew NKorea would be a problem. Yet he intentionally keeps vacant EVERY diplomatic position that is relevant to solving this crisis,” Murphy tweeted. “Why are we worried about Trump’s military threats? Bc he’s surrounded by advisors trained in military, not diplomatic solutions to crises.”

Democrats have criticized Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for not filling vacancies within the State Department. Tillerson has said that he wants to reduce the number of State Department employees.

Six of the nine senior official positions at the State Department are listed as vacant on the department’s website.

“A President w no diplomatic experience chose a Sec of State w no diplomatic experience who chose not to hire anyone w diplomatic experience,” Murphy said.