President Trump pushed back Thursday on concerns about a lack of nominees for key positions at the State Department, arguing it wouldn't affect his agenda. 
 
 "Let me tell you, the one that matters is me, I'm the only one that matters because when it comes to it that's what the policy is going to be," Trump said on Fox News when pressed about vacancies by Laura Ingraham. 
 
 "We don't need all the people that they want," Trump continued. "Don't forget, I'm a business person and I tell my people 'well you don't need to fill slots, don't fill them.'" 
 
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 A number of top positions remain unfilled at the State Department, among other agencies, including officials overseeing Southeast Asia and arms control. 
 
 Trump has fallen behind his four predecessors in the number of appointments confirmed by the Senate by this time, while he also has fewer nominations sent compared to the four previous administrations, according to an appointee tracker from The Washington Post and Partnership for Public Service. 
 
 The president blamed Senate Democrats for more nominees not being approved, though he acknowledged that he has focused on nominating fewer people. 
 
 "We're filling up roles. And, don't forget, Schumer and the Democrats are just obstructing. You can't get anything through. We have almost about half the number of people coming through as Obama had. They are obstructing," Trump said. 
 
 
 
 "We have to get our people in. But in addition to that, we don’t need all of the people, you know, it’s called cost saving. ... There's nothing wrong with cost saving." 
 
 "Rex is in there working hard, he’s doing his best, he’s doing the best he can," Trump added. 
 
 Tillerson has himself pushed back on reports of low morale at the State Department, telling Bloomberg recently, "I'm not seeing it, I'm not getting it." 
 
 Trump defended his decision not to appoint nominees for certain State Department positions on Thursday night, telling Fox, "We have some people that I'm not happy with their thinking process." ||||| President Trump talked to Laura Ingraham about the Fusion GPS dossier on him, the U.S. Justice Department, chain migration and DACA, Bernie Sanders and the DNC primary, and much more in an interview aired on Thursday's broadcast of FOX News Channel's The Ingraham Angle. Full transcript below clips of quotes. 
 
 
 
 "I think it's like a major story," Trump said about interim DNC chairwoman Donna Brazile's revelation that the DNC stacked the deck against Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary. "Now, I don't know if the mainstream fake media, because they are fake and phony, but I just don't know if they are going to pick it up. I want to tell you, that is a big story what you're saying. It's illegal, number one. And it's really unfair to Bernie Sanders. I'm not a Bernie Sanders fan. Although I must say that I got a lot of his votes when he was thrown out. Many of those people voted for me because of trade, because I agreed with him on trade. We're just doing more about it than he can do and we're doing a lot about it. But I thought that was terrible." 
 
 
 
 Trump on dossier: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Hillary Clinton said last night that paying for the dossier – she defended it, basically. She said it’s different from meeting with Russians; like meeting with Russians. She’s trying to make a comparison to say – she totally defended it. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, she talked about oppo research is wonderful; oppo research – but not when it comes to us; okay? Oppo research for us, of course, is no good; no. 
 
 
 
 That dossier which is totally fake and made up – it’s like a novel – but that dossier is a disgrace and it should not have been allowed to be used. And then I hear the kind of money they spent. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: $9 million. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: I mean, it’s inconceivable. It’s absolutely inconceivable – it’s horrible. 
 
 INGRAHAM: The justice system a "joke" and a "laughing stock," you said the other day. What were you referring to with that? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, when I look at immigration and I look at this whole thing, coming in by lottery and then we can’t' do anything about it quickly, and I look at what's going on with justice when it comes to so many different topics, I really feel... 
 
 
 
 (CROSSTALK) 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Criminal justice, you're talking about criminal justice issues? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: A lot of justice. This guy would be tied up forever in the court system. You look at some of the cases that are going on forever and you have them dead to rights? Now, the justice system has to go quicker and it has to be, really, stronger and fairer. Probably has to be fairer too. 
 
 INGRAHAM: Will it be part of a Dreamer deal, a DACA deal? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Yes. It'll be part of a DACA deal. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: And if it... 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: DACA's a lot different than Dreamer. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: That means for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals? Will -- will you require that, if any amnesty talks will -- will require chain migration to end? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: I don't think any Republican would vote for anything having to do with leaving chain migration. Chain migration is a disaster for this country and it's horrible. 
 
 .@POTUS on the economy: "The thing I'm most proud about... companies are starting to come back into our country." @IngrahamAngle pic.twitter.com/EESAOrU7k4 — Fox News (@FoxNews) November 3, 2017 
 
 INGRAHAM: Mr. President, it’s good to see you. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Thank you. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Today the tax plan announced. And it’s interesting – you’re getting hit from the left and some on the right. Rand Paul is going to vote for it, I think, but he said it’s not significant because the upper-income tier doesn’t get a lot of tax-rate relief, or any. And then Ron Wyden calls it basically a middle-class con job. It’s not really a tax cut for the middle class. So, left and right. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, they’re big tax cuts – the biggest cuts in the history of our country, actually. We have reform, we have simplification. 
 
 
 
 And honestly, I’m surprised a little bit to hear what you’re saying because we’ve really gotten great reviews – people are loving it. Even a certain newspaper that I don’t like very much came out today and they gave Schumer four Pinocchios. And they said, because he was not telling the truth when it came to the middle class because he said it’s for the rich and it’s really not for the rich; it’s for the middle class and it’s for jobs. And I would say, maybe even in that order. 
 
 
 
 So, the middle class is a big beneficiary. Jobs and companies are big beneficiaries – but the companies really create the jobs. And we really have, Laura, we’ve had tremendous receptivity to a point that I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it. So, – and I do think Rand Paul, by the way, who I like, I think he’s going to vote for it. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Hillary Clinton said last night that paying for the dossier – she defended it, basically. She said it’s different from meeting with Russians; like meeting with Russians. She’s trying to make a comparison to say – she totally defended it. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, she talked about oppo research is wonderful; oppo research – but not when it comes to us; okay? Oppo research for us, of course, is no good; no. 
 
 
 
 That dossier which is totally fake and made up – it’s like a novel – but that dossier is a disgrace and it should not have been allowed to be used. And then I hear the kind of money they spent. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: $9 million. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: I mean, it’s inconceivable. It’s absolutely inconceivable – it’s horrible. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Donna Brazile, in her new book, writes about the DNC, Democrat primary rigging and talks about corruption, internal corruption and unethical finances. And she tags Hillary Clinton. Are you surprised about this... 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: I think it's... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: ... given what you said about Bernie Sanders, being -- being given the short shrift? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: I think it's an -- you know, like, it's a major story. Now I don't know if the mainstream fake media -- because they are fake and phony, but I just don't know if they're gonna pick it up. But I want to tell you, that is a big story, what she's (ph) saying. It's illegal, number one, and it's really very unfair to Bernie Sanders. 
 
 
 
 I'm not a Bernie Sanders fan, although I must say, I got a lot of his votes. When he was thrown out, many of those people voted for me because of trade. Because I agreed with him on (ph) trade. We're just doing more about it than he can do and we're doing a lot about it. But that was -- I thought that was terrible. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: The justice system a "joke" and a "laughing stock," you said the other day. What were you referring to with that? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, when I look at immigration and I look at this whole thing, coming in by lottery and then we can’t' do anything about it quickly, and I look at what's going on with justice when it comes to so many different topics, I really feel... 
 
 
 
 (CROSSTALK) 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Criminal justice, you're talking about criminal justice issues? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: A lot of justice. This guy would be tied up forever in the court system. You look at some of the cases that are going on forever and you have them dead (ph) to (ph) right (ph)? Now, the justice system has to go quicker and it has to be, really, stronger and fairer. Probably has to be fairer too. 
 
 
 
 But it's very sad. When you look at a lottery system and you have people coming into the country through the form of a lottery, and, you know, the country (ph) is (ph)... 
 
 
 
 (CROSSTALK) 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Fifty thousand? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: ... just so you understand, the countries aren't putting their finest in there. They're not putting their best and their greatest and their finest in there. And this kid came in through a lottery system that's gonna end, and it's gonna end fast. In fact, I've already instructed Congress. They must end it. And I think we're gonna get, even, Democrat support on this. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: You had a DACA talk today for the Dreamers... 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: I did. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: ... your base and what you campaigned on was, real common-sense policies. You talked about e-verify, building the... 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Right. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: ... wall, chain migration, which is a huge problem. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: All of those things are happening. Chain migration... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: And is that gonna be part of any DACA deal? So if the... 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Yeah. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: ... Democrats want Dreamer help, they're gonna have to do... 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Yeah, we're going... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: ... they're gonna have to do either (inaudible) by (ph) chain migration? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Sure, sure. Chain migration's one of the most important things. And most people, frankly... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Is that a requirement for you? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: ... until yesterday, most people had never heard of chain migration. I gave a form (ph) of a press conference and I started talking about chain migration. And this horrible animal -- he's an animal, as far as I'm concerned -- 23 people have touched him, maybe came in because he was in. And he was only in with a green card, supposedly. 
 
 
 
 But chain migration, where his whole family comes in, his mother can come in, his father, his grandmother. Everybody comes in. Chain migration is a disaster for this country and it's gonna end. Now, I've been talking about it for a while but I think the public, until yesterday, probably never heard about chain migration. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Well, the Republicans didn't want to touch it for a long time. You've -- you've... 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, they're touching it now... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: ... held up a mirror to what the Republicans weren't (ph) doing (ph), too. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: ... you know? They're touching it now. It's become a very, very strong point right now. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Will it be part of a Dreamer deal, a DAD deal? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Yes. It'll be part of a DACA deal. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: And if it... 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: DACA's a lot different than Dreamer. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: That (ph) means (ph) for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Yeah. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Will -- will you require that, if any amnesty talks will -- will require chain migration to end? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: I don't think any Republican would vote for anything having to do with leaving chain migration. Chain migration is a disaster for this country and it's horrible. I mean, just take a look at him. Twenty-three people -- potentially, 23 people... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Is that verified? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: It's what I heard, it's what I gave. Whether it's 23 or whether it's two, as far as I'm concerned, it's too (ph) much (ph), OK? 
 
 
 
 (CROSSTALK) 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: It's a big difference, two or 23. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: No, no, I know that. But I hear it's 23. It's a lot of people. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: The wall. I mean, I was at rallies, that's what people -- they want that wall built. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, it's one of the things. But we're gonna have a wall... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: But -- but Paul Ryan said... 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: ... and in fact, we (ph) just (ph)... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: ... 1.4 billion, he would -- he would start. Perhaps that number's been thrown out. But that's... 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Phase one... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: ... that's a pittance. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: ... phase one, during the first -- well, first of all, they say the wall's gonna cost $40 billion. It's not gonna cost anywhere near that... 
 
 
 
 (CROSSTALK) 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: But (ph) half (ph) that (ph)... 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: ... but the Democrats are saying. We're talking about less than half. Also, you don't have a wall -- you have 2,000 miles. You have mountains, you have rivers, you have things that you don't put the wall and (ph) and you don't need (inaudible) and never was planned for that. 
 
 
 
 No (ph), I think for $18 billion or less, we're gonna have a great wall. We're doing prototypes right now. We're gonna make the choice. We have the people from Border Patrol and ICE working with us very closely because, ultimately, they're the ones that are gonna have to use it. 
 
 
 
 One of the things that's come up pretty strongly is, we want to have vision (ph) through the wall because you want to see what's on the other side of the wall. You know, you think we're gonna build a nice, simple concrete wall but it's not that simple. No, we're having the wall. We have to have the wall. 
 
 
 
 We need the wall for another reason, drugs. Drugs are pouring into our country. A lot of them are coming in through the southern border and the wall will be a tremendous tool to help facilitate the ending of the drugs coming in. No, the wall is actually coming along pretty well. That will also be a part of DADA or whatever. It... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: But a down payment, or a guaranteed funding (ph)? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: No. Well, look. When we get the down payment, we're gonna have a guarantee, believe me. We're not taking a down payment... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Yeah. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: ... and then say, where's the rest... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: But that's a -- that could be a scam as well. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: ... of the money? Because, you know, you don't spend all the money immediately... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Yeah. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: ... so we can put it back. But when we take a down payment, I'm gonna say, "I want to make sure the rest of the money is coming." 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: You're heading off to Asia. Huge trip. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Yeah. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: A lot's (ph) at (ph) stake (ph). You (ph) got North Korea, a deal with the Chinese. You're gonna stop in Seoul. Your State Department still has some unfilled positions. I know I mentioned this before on -- on Fox. Your Asia desk is being run by a career diplomat. Not your person, not your vision. 
 
 
 
 Are you worried that the State Department doesn't have enough Donald Trump nominees in there to push your vision through? Because other State Departments, including Reagan's, at this time, undermined his agenda. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Yeah (ph). 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: And there -- there's a concern that the State Department currently is undermining your agenda. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: So we don't need all the people that they want. You know, don't forget, I'm a businessperson and I tell my people, "When (ph) you don't need to fill slots, don't fill them." But we have some people that I'm not happy with there. (inaudible) processed (ph)... 
 
 
 
 (CROSSTALK) 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: But Assistant Secretary of State, you're not getting rid of that position. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: All right. But let me tell you. The one that matters is me. I'm the only one that matters because, when it comes to it, that's what the policy is going to be. You've seen that, you've seen it strongly. We're filling up roles. And, don't forget, Schumer and the Democrats are just obstructing. You can't get anything through. We have almost about half the number of people coming through as Obama had. They are obstructing. 
 
 
 
 Now, what we’re doing – and the Senate has been so obstruct (ph). They're working much longer hours, we have to get our people in. But in addition to that, we don’t need all of the people, you know, it’s called cost saving – you know, in the old days... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: But you want your vision pushed. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: I want my vision, but my vision is my vision. Anyway, it’s called cost saving. There's nothing wrong with cost saving. Rex is in there working hard, he’s doing his best, he’s doing the best he can. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Is he going to be with you for the duration? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, we’ll see. I don’t know who’s going to be – duration, I think the duration – I'll tell you this. I don’t think any president in nine months has done the job that we’ve done, and that includes bills being passed by Congress. You look at what's passed by the senate, by the House, I think we’re close to 70 bills, maybe over 70 bills. It almost a record. You look at all of the deregulation, you look at Supreme Court Justice Gorsuch, you look at all of the other district judges – federal district judges and court of appeals judges, I don’t think – and then of course, take a look at the economy. Take a look. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Look at the economy. Look at the economy, are you getting the credit for this economic revival without tax cuts through – yeah, without Obamacare repeal yet, and this is a stunning economic revival in 10 months. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: One of the greatest in the history of our country, and I'm in here now 10 months, and we are setting record after record, day after day. I think we hit another one today. No, I'm not getting enough credit for it, because a lot of the reason is enthusiasm level, business level, and also the fact that I've cut regulations to the extent that I've cut them. I mean, I can tell you jobs that were never going to get built are now being built. Take a look at the pipelines – the Keystone Pipelines, the Dakota Access Pipelines... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Made a big announcement today too, another company coming back from Singapore. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: We have another one, that’s right. We have a big one, we have a Broadcom, which is one of the Fortune 100 companies. They are now leaving Asia and they're coming – they're moving back into the United States. No, I don’t get the credit, but you know, frankly, I think ultimately I will, because there's not much they can do about it. I mean, everyday we’re hitting new highs, very important GDP. You take a look, GDP, 3.2, and now 3, and last one was after four or five really, obviously possible hurricanes, and that’s the equivalent of a point, so that would have been a 4. 
 
 
 
 A 4 was unthinkable, and each time we go up a point, that’s $2.5 trillion and thousands – I mean millions of jobs, actually. So look, the news is fake. I must say, Fox has treated me fairly, not necessarily well, but they’ve treated me very fairly. But so much of the news is fake. And you know, the other day, somebody said, what's the biggest surprise? I said, you know, after I thought after I won, the news would get fair, and actually, they got worse. They really are, whether its CNN or CBS or NBC or ABC, local news has been great. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Even Bryan Cranston, that actor who wasn’t a fan of yours, said, I want him to be successful. And he said to Hollywood celebrities who are not supporting you, shut the blank up, basically, which was nice to see. There are other images out there that aren’t nice to see, that are being put on album covers, put on magazines, late night TV. Hollywood depravity in our children, how big of a problem do you think it is? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, I think Hollywood depravity period is not only for children, for everything. I look at what's happening with that, and I look at what's happening with that, and frankly, if they said some of the things about Obama, you would have people – politically correct people say, you can't say that, but with me, it’s allowed. 
 
 
 
 I think it’s disgraceful but we power forward and again, we have one of the great economies ever, and believe me, that’s because of our decisions. When you think about Keystone, that was dead. When you think about Dakota, that was 42,000 jobs right there, that was just one small thing they did right at the very beginning, and we’ve done many of them. And now, the things I'm most proud about, companies are starting to come back into our country. They were leaving... 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Repatriating. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: They are coming back. And one of the things about our taxes – you talk about repatriation. We’re bringing in probably – I think the number is going to be over $4 trillion coming back into our country so it’s going to be put to work. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Speaking of, are you going to do China enforcement on this trip? Tell China intellectual property theft, subsidies, dumping in our country – 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Yeah. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Are you going to be tough on the enforcement side, given what they’re doing to this country? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: You have to understand something – very important. We have a problem called North Korea. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Are you going to tie (inaudible) with Korea? With South Korea’s trade deficit? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, we’re going to see. But we have one problem that’s a very big problem – it’s called North Korea. China has been helpful. We are talking trade with China, but I am also – 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: It sounds like it. Not just one thing. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: And President Xi has been pretty terrific. Most people have been saying whether it’s cutting the banking system off from North Korea, whether it’s cutting the oil down to North Korea, cutting supplies down. And I must tell you North Korea is a thing that I think we will solve and if we don’t solve it, it’s not going to be very pleasant for them. It’s not going to be very pleasant, I guess, for anybody; but China is helping us. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Japan is worried. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, of course they’re worried. They should be worried. You know, they’re very close to North Korea. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: And they want a nuclear pledge from the United States if they go after Japan. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, you know Japan is a warrior nation. And I tell China and I tell everyone else that, listen, you’re going to have yourself a big problem with Japan pretty soon if you allow this to continue with North Korea. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Are we going to make any pledges to Japan to defend them in a nuclear capacity? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, look, they’re an ally – they’re an ally. The Prime Minister is a very good friend of mine. Prime Minister Abe – I’ve become very close. I’ve become very, very, close to President Xi of China. I think a lot of good things are going to happen. I think it’s a very important trip. I think this is one of the more important trips that a president has made. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: You don’t like traveling, though. You’re not a big man of traveling. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, I don’t love it, but I think it’s important. I’m going to China. I’m going to Japan. South Korea. I’ve been going to Vietnam where we have a tremendous trade conference – trade. And we’re starting to do well in trade. Look, NAFTA is a disaster. NAFTA is killing us. And we’re renegotiating it. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: You’ve going to talk to Putin – are you going to talk to him on this trip. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: We may have a meeting with Putin. And, again – Putin is very important because they can help us with North Korea. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Syria. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: They can help us with Syria. We have to talk about Ukraine 
 
 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Can we just ask a fun question? One fun question? 
 
 
 
 Are you having fun in this job? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: I am. I love it. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Is it – 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Well, there’s been a lot of false reporting that I’m angry about things. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: I’ve never seen you angry – I’ve known you for 14 years. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: No. I think the press is fake. A lot of the media is fake. But – so, you could say there’s a certain anger there. But it’s not really anger. It’s really amazement how dishonest – when you get right down to it – how dishonest the news is. But – 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Your family is adjusting well? 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: I am – well, I think my family has been treated unfairly. I think that Ivanka has been treated very unfairly, frankly. Melania is really just powering through it. She’s been incredible. People love Ivanka. People love Melania – and, you know, they go through it. But I do think the family has been treated a little bit unfairly. 
 
 
 
 In the end what is very nice is we really have – I don’t think – I’m not saying this in a braggadocios way – I don’t think over a period of nine or 10 months there’s been any president in the beginning of their presidency that’s done anywhere close when you think about regulations, and Supreme Court and so many different things – and stock markets and the economy. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: I like the fact that you’re impatient for change in a city that is slow-moving and has – moves at a glacial pace. And that’s something you got from the business world. You’re impatient for change. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: And the most important thing that we’re going to be doing is tax cuts. Tax cuts – if we get this through and I think we will – you’re going to see this economy take off like a rocket ship. 
 
 
 
 INGRAHAM: Thank you so much, Mr. President. I really appreciate all the time. 
 
 
 
 TRUMP: Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Thank you. 
 
 Trump on Justice Department:Trump on DACA:Trump said the allegations of a Democratic "rigged primary" is "very unfair" to Bernie Sanders:Trump: "The thing I'm most proud about... companies are starting to come back into our country"Full transcript, via FOX News: ||||| A visit to North Korea this week by a top United Nations official is something of a landmark affair. Jeffrey Feltman, the chief diplomat and undersecretary general for political affairs at the UN, will be in Pyongyang from today (Dec. 5) until Friday (Dec. 8) for political discussions (paywall). It’s the highest-level visit in more than six years, and takes place with the region on edge over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. 
 
 Yesterday (Dec. 4), the US and South Korea began their largest-ever joint aerial drills, prompting Pyongyang to say that the war games could push the Korean peninsula to “the brink of nuclear war.” That followed North Korea firing its third intercontinental ballistic missile on Nov. 29, one capable of reaching all of the US. 
 
 The visit by Feltman comes in response to an invitation by North Korean officials made on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN in New York in September, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. Feltman will meet with North Korean foreign minister Ri Yong-ho and vice minister Pak Myong-guk, but not supreme leader Kim Jong-un. 
 
 Feltman previously served in a US diplomatic position that, under Donald Trump, the State Department is in no rush to fill. His official title was assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs. That’s one of the many diplomatic posts that has gone unfilled under the watch of secretary of state Rex Tillerson, who has set about unraveling the State Department (paywall) since assuming office in February. There are over 20 assistant secretary of state positions, but most of them remain unfilled. Another vacant spot is US ambassador to South Korea, a seemingly essential position given the tensions with North Korea, though Trump is expected to appoint former White House official and Korea expert Victor Cha to the position. 
 
 Feltman served as the US ambassador to Lebanon, before taking on his current role at the UN in 2012. He is also from Ohio, the home state of American university student Otto Warmbier, who died after 17 months of detention in North Korea having been detained over an alleged attempt to steal a propaganda poster in his hotel. 
 
 Asked about the unfilled positions at the State Department, Trump told Fox News last month: 
 
 “So we don’t need all the people they want. I’m a businessman, and I tell my people, ‘When you don’t need to fill slots, don’t fill them.’ But we have some people that I’m not happy with there. Lemme tell you, the one that matters is me. I’m the only one that matters, because when it comes to it, that’s what the policy is going to be.” 
 
 The Trump administration has said it favors a diplomatic solution but that it would never accept North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. It’s warned that all options, including military ones, are on the table. Trump meanwhile has made bombastic threats against Kim, calling him “little rocket man” and saying North Korea would be met by “fire and fury” if it continued to threaten the US. North Korea has called Trump “mentally deranged” and a “dotard.” 
 
 Amid all this, many have called for greater efforts at diplomacy. For example, after Trump’s “fire and fury” comment, German chancellor Angela Merkel said she believes that talks with North Korea are the way forward. She said in September that the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers could serve as a model for negotiations, and that her country would be eager to help in such talks. 
 
 Feltman’s trip is a way to “test the waters,” a UN representative told the Wall Street Journal (paywall). 
 
 An official with the State Department told Reuters it was “aware” of Feltman’s visit, but added that the Kim regime “has shown no interest in credible negotiations” and said it’s “imperative that the countries of the world present North Korea with a unified, unambiguous response to its unlawful provocations.”
– President Trump sat down with Laura Ingraham Thursday night, and when the Fox News host pressed him on why there are still so many vacancies for top posts in the State Department, he seemed nonplussed. "Let me tell you, the one that matters is me," Trump said, per the Hill. "I'm the only one that matters because when it comes to it that's what the policy is going to be." He also reminded Ingraham that he comes from the business world and that he often tells his own teams, "When you don't need to fill slots, don't fill them." He also put some of the blame on "[Chuck] Schumer and the Democrats" for "obstructing" nominees he's made for these positions, though a Washington Post/Partnership for Public Service tracker points out he's made far fewer nominations than the four presidents before him by this time in their tenure. Trump did touch upon one slot that's filled at State: Rex Tillerson's post. Per Politico, the president was asked if the secretary of state would remain with his administration "for the duration," to which Trump replied: "We'll see. I don't know who's going to be [here for the] duration." He did add that Tillerson was "working hard" and "doing his best." Also receiving mentions from Trump: Pyongyang and Putin. Trump called North Korea a "thing that I think we will solve," per Fox News. "If we don't solve it, it's not going to be very pleasant for them. It's not going to be very pleasant, I guess, for anybody," he said, without giving further details. As for the Russian president, Trump noted he wouldn't be against meeting with him during his upcoming trip to Asia. "Putin is very important because they can help us with North Korea," he said. RealClearPolitics has clips from the interview.