Hawaii rep on false nuclear alert: ‘These kinds of mistakes’ can lead to brink of war

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) on Sunday called a mistaken alert sent to Hawaii residents about an inbound missile “unacceptable,” adding that it highlights the reality those on the island face amid tensions with North Korea. 

“The fact that these processes failed so epically that caused this trauma, that caused this terror all across state of Hawaii must be fixed immediately. And those responsible for this happening need to be held accountable in making sure this cannot happen again,” Gabbard said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

A false emergency alert that warned people across Hawaii of an incoming ballistic missile was sent on Saturday, prompting widespread panic among those on and off the islands.

{mosads}Gov. David Ige (D) told reporters that the alert was sent because an employee pushed the wrong button during a shift change.

“It’s these kinds of mistakes that we have seen happen in the past that bring us to this brink of nuclear war that could be unintentional. And that’s really what’s at stake here for the people of Hawaii,” Gabbard said on Sunday.

Gabbard noted recent tensions between North Korea and the United States, saying she’d like to see President Trump negotiate directly with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The negotiations, she said, must happen without preconditions. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last month suggested such talks were possible.

Trump has frequently gone after Kim Jong Un on Twitter, calling him “short and fat,” labeling him “Rocket Man” and bragging about the size of his own “nuclear button.”