President Trump, GOP senator trade insults

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - The gloves are off between Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee and President Donald Trump, both Republicans. Corker spoke frankly to the New York Times about the president and the way he is handling the responsibilities of commander in chief.

"You know, you've got to realize, we could be heading towards World War III with the kind of comments he's making," Corker told the Times.

The fight between Corker and Trump began over the weekend after the president tweeted this: "Senator Bob Corker 'begged' me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee. I said 'NO' and he dropped out (said he could not win without my endorsement). He also wanted to be Secretary of State, I said 'NO THANKS.' He is also largely responsible for the horrendous Iran Deal!"

Corker's response is still reverberating through Washington.

"It's a shame the White House has become an adult day care center," Corker tweeted. "Someone obviously missed their shift this morning."

He is being so bold because he is not seeking reelection. And the speculation is that many Republicans share his opinion.

"We've all worked with Senator Corker over the years. We thank him for his service," Kellyanne Conway told Fox and Friends. "But I find tweets like this to be incredibly irresponsible."

Infighting aside, real issues remain -- like North Korea, immigration, and turmoil at the EPA. On that front, the head of the agency announced Monday that he is doing away a key pillar of President Obama's climate agenda.

"Tomorrow in Washington, D.C., I'll be signing a proposed rule to withdraw the so-called Clean Power Plan of past administration and thus begin the effort to withdraw that rule," EPA head Scott Pruitt said.

Over the weekend, President Trump released a list of immigration priorities, including building a border wall and blocking federal funding for sanctuary cities, such as New York.

On North Korea, the U.S. in a holding pattern. Defense Secretary James Mattis is hinting that military action may be the only recourse. The north celebrated the founding of the Communist Party there. It was a national holiday traditionally marked with missile tests.

"Now, what does the future hold? Neither you nor I can say," Mattis said. "The U.S. Army must stand ready."

In the meantime, in the United Kingdom, British defense officials are reportedly being instructed to draw up plans in preparation for potential conflict with North Korea.