President Donald Trump has clarified who has the last word in his administration’s policy towards North Korea. That last word belongs to the president—as if there was any doubt. The implication is that foreign leaders should focus on Trump’s words rather than statements from the U.S. State Department or the Pentagon.

“I think I have a little bit different attitude on North Korea than other people might have,” Trump said during a press briefing at the White House on Oct. 11. “And I listen to everybody, but ultimately my attitude is the one that matters, isn't it? That's the way it works. That's the way the system is.”

Trump said that his views on North Korea have a harder edge than many in his administration including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, both of whom have been emphasizing diplomacy. That certainly explains Trump’s bellicose tweets on the North Korea issue. Indeed, the Trump Administration—at least rhetorically—has taken a much harder line than previous U.S. administrations.  

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“I think I might have a somewhat different attitude and a different way than other people,” Trump said. “I think perhaps I feel stronger and tougher on that subject than other people, but I listen to everybody. And ultimately, I will do what's right for the United States and, really, what's right for the world. Because that's really a world problem; that's beyond just the United States. That's a world problem, and it's a problem that has to be solved.”

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However, the North Korean problem only seems to be becoming more dangerous. Speaking to reporters enroute to McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, Mattis did not want to go on-the-record when asked how dangerous the situation on the Korean peninsula really is.

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Meanwhile, Trump also took the time to disavow suggestions that he had demanded to increase the size of the U.S. nuclear arsenal by over ten times in contravention of a host of arms control treaties with Russia.

“I think somebody said I want ten times the nuclear weapons that we have right now,” Trump said. “Right now, we have so many nuclear weapons. I want them in perfect condition, perfect shape. That's the only thing I've ever discussed.”

Mattis also took the unusual step of dismissing the such reports. "Recent reports that the president called for an increase in the US nuclear arsenal are absolutely false," Mattis said in a statement. "This kind of erroneous reporting is irresponsible."

Dave Majumdar is the defense editor for The National Interest. You can follow him on Twitter: @Davemajumdar.

Image: Reuters.