President Donald Trump’s comments regarding a “major, major” conflict with North Korea April 28 have triggered a discussion about nuclear war and American’s relations with the country. 

Trump noted a peaceful conclusion would be “very difficult.”

Tension between the U.S. and North Korea has escalated in recent weeks, after concerns were raised about North Korea’s advancing weapons program. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told the U.N. Security Council it was “likely only a matter of time before North Korea develops the capability to strike the U.S. mainland.”

It’s no secret that Trump can’t handle any sensitive topic with thoughtfulness or tact, but he is taking this issue too far. America could be on the brink of a nuclear war with one of the most reclusive countries in the world, which has vowed to wipe out the U.S. 

The almost-daily back-and-forth between the two countries includes several shows of strength from North Korea’s military despite a failed missile test. The U.S. sent warships to the South Korean region and began installing a controversial anti-missile system there, according to an April 28 BBC article. Trump’s bombing and missile strikes were non-nuclear, but now North Korea wants to reduce the U.S. mainland to “ruins,” with nuclear, ballistic missiles. 

Trump has continued to display a lack of consistency by telling Bloomberg News May 1 he would be “honored” to meet Kim Jong-un “under the right circumstances.” The North Korean dictator is known for ruthless attacks on his enemies, resulting in uninvestigated deaths of individuals including his own family.  Trump went on to call Kim a “smart cookie” because he assumed power at a young age. Kim assumed power after his father, Kim Jong-il, died of a heart attack in 2011, surpassing his older brother, whom Jong-il reportedly deemed weak and “effeminate.”

According to a May 2 CNN article, no active U.S. president has met with the leader of North Korea, and the possibility is alarming. 

Trump has been trying to protect people from “danger” by cracking down on immigration; however, his naivety about how his comments are perceived will affect the country and put the U.S. in jeopardy.

North Korea has said it is on the “brink” of a nuclear war with the U.S., and people across the country deserve to know how this crisis can be averted, despite Trump’s probable attempts to exacerbate and profit from war. 

It’s time the country finally learns from past mistakes, despite having a leader who is incapable of doing so. If there is anyone within the Trump administration who can handle speaking about a potential ballistic missile knowledgeably, the time to speak up is now. There is no safety net when it comes to a nuclear war, and the risk has the potential to become greater. Trump’s inability to uphold diplomatic relations is putting the country in real danger.