Sen. Jeff Flake said Sunday he's had his "concerns" with President Donald Trump, but has complete confidence in the national security team around him amid North Korea's increasing nuclear missile threat.
In an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," the Arizona Republican, a frequent critic of Trump, said "no president comes in prepared with regard to foreign policy experience."
"I've had my concerns, I think everyone has, as some of the statements made by the president with regard to NATO and other areas in foreign policy," Flake said. "I think we want somebody who is measured and sober and consistent and conservative in this regard, but he has a good team around him and I have confidence in them."
Flake also said he's firmly opposed to any pullout from a trade pact with South Korea currently — especially as North Korea is ramping up its nuclear missile program.
"I don't think that that would be good in any circumstances," he said of Trump's reported consideration of a pullout.
"Now it's particularly troubling, given what South Korea is faced with. I think that we need to do more trade, not less, and withdrawing from trade agreements is a very troubling sign."
Flake also said he's not worried about Trump's attacks on him as he heads into a midterm election — even in a state that solidly supported Trump in the 2016 election.
"I will support the position when I believe he's right," Flake said of the president. "I'll oppose those that I think he's wrong on, things like NAFTA, for example. I think NAFTA has been good for Arizona, good for Mexico, good for Canada. Those kind of things that will damage Arizona I won't support the position on, but on most things I do."