Although he describes himself as a 'strong supporter' of President Trump, Senator David Perdue (R-Ga) joined Democrats and more than a few other Republicans expressing concern about the decision to inform the North Korean leader that what Mr Trump called U.S.-South Korean military "war games" will be suspended.
Perdue, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke to reporters the day after the summit in Singapore at a breakfast meeting of the Defense Writers Group.
“I was surprised, frankly, because the president had said earlier that that was not necessarily going to be part of the first meeting," he said.
“The coordination with the South Korean military is absolutely critical."
That said, Perdue praised the President's initiative in holding the summit with Kim Jong Un, saying is he "very hopeful" an agreement to 'denuclearize' the Korean peninsula can be reached, though "this is going to be a long pull".
The Senator did not criticize Mr Trump's attack on the Canadian Prime Minister following the G-7 meeting, but he did say that "our number one asset is our ally base".
Breaking Defense: Trump Supporter Sen. Perdue ‘Very Troubled’ By Pledge To End Korea Exercises
The Hill: GOP senator 'troubled' by Trump announcement to halt US-South Korean military drills
The Daily Beast: GOP Lawmakers Confused by Trump’s Flattery of Kim, Want Buffers on Nuke Deal
SpaceNews: U.S. Senator: Do not underestimate China’s determination to win in space
http://spacenews.com/u-s-senator-do-not-underestimate-chinas-determination-to-win-in-space/
AirForce Magazine: Trump Announces US to Suspend Joint Exercises With South Korea Following Kim Summit
Defense News: Key lawmaker in favor of JSTARS recap cancellation, movement to alternate approach
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/06/12/key-lawmaker-in-favor-of-jstars-recap-cancelation/
National Defense Magazine:Key Senator Sounds Alarm About Chinese Hypersonic Capabilities
Inside the Pentagon: GOP senator 'troubled' by Trump's promise to cease military exercises with South Korea
Stars and Stripes: Lawmakers question plans to halt US-South Korea exercises, push for congressional role
Military.com: Lawmaker Concerned About Capability Gap During JSTARS Transition
Seapower Magazine:SASC Member Perdue: Nuclear Negotiations with North Korea ‘Going to be a Long Road’
http://seapowermagazine.org/stories/20180612-Perdue.html
Tass Russian News Wire
