GOP lawmaker calls for ‘massive cyberattack’ on North Korea

Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (Calif.) on Thursday called for a “massive cyberattack” on North Korea, according to a statement released by his press office. 

Tensions between the United States and North Korea have escalated in the last week, as President Trump warned that the U.S. would respond with “fire and fury” if threatened by Pyongyang. The commander-in-chief was responding to reports that North Korea had expanded its nuclear capabilities.

{mosads}Rohrabacher, who represents the 48^th district of California, said Thursday that the Trump administration “is right to respond with all the urgency the president’s words signify.” 

He said that the Pentagon should include in its options launching “a coordinated, massive cyberattack on North Korea’s infrastructure,” in addition to leaving the door open to shooting down missiles launched by North Korea or disrupting leader Kim Jong Un’s missile-launch capabilities and communications assets.

Rohrabacher was recalling comments he made to constituents on Wednesday. 

“It all sounds like madness, as indeed a nuclear exchange would be, but for decades we have been playing a slow-motion game of diplomatic depravity that could only lead to this perilous juncture. The Communist Kim dynasty regularly tested our patience with each step it took toward its own nuclear arsenal. Our government just as regularly responded with bribes,” Rohrabacher said. 

“The cycle of madness must be broken,” the California Republican added. 

Trump has caught flak from some for the stern warning to Pyongyang last week. 

“I take exception to the president’s comments because you’ve got to be sure that you can do what you say you’re going to do,” Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) told a local Arizona radio station. “The great leaders I’ve seen don’t threaten unless they’re ready to act, and I’m not sure President Trump is ready to act.” 

On Friday, the president doubled down on his threats, saying that the U.S. military solutions are “locked and loaded” against the threat from North Korea.

“Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely. Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path!” Trump wrote on Twitter.

Pyongyang threatened a missile attack on Guam last week, though Kim has appeared to back down on the threat.