Gov. Eddie Calvo took a call from President Donald Trump Saturday morning, posting a speaker-phone video on his Facebook page.
"We are with you a thousand percent," Trump says on the call. "You are safe."
The phone call took place amid escalating tensions between the United States and North Korea — with Guam in the crosshairs. After recent news on North Korea's quest for nuclear weapons, Trump warned that "the North would face "fire and fury like the world has never seen" if it continues its missile threats. North Korea announced shortly after that it was forming a detailed plan to launch missiles toward Guam.
Saturday morning, Trump's Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly first called Calvo, assuring him that the White House is tracking the North Korea threats and that Guam is well protected, the governor's office said.
Shortly after, the White House called again, saying the president himself wanted to talk to Calvo.
Calvo took the call at his house, the governor's office said.
Calvo confident in Trump
Trump starts the call by telling Calvo he called to pay his respects. "We are with you a thousand percent. You are safe, we are with you a thousand percent," Trump says.
"As the governor representing the people of Guam, and as an American citizen, I've never felt so safe, or felt more confident, with you at the helm," Calvo says in response.
“It just looks like a beautiful place ... and you seem like a hell of a guy”
President Donald Trump to Gov. Eddie Calvo
Loud laughter can be heard from the White House line as Calvo continues: "With all the criticism going on over there, from a guy that's being targeted, we need a guy like you."
"They should have had me eight years ago, or at least, somebody with my thought process," Trump replies. "Frankly, you could have said that about the last three presidents."
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Trump goes on to compliment Guam, as well as Calvo. "It just looks like a beautiful place," he says, "... and you seem like a hell of a guy."
Near the end of the call, Calvo invites Trump for a visit. "It could happen," the president says. "Please say hello to the people of Guam."
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'Watching out for us'
Calvo released a video message Saturday afternoon, saying he will "continue to do everything I can to ensure our safety."
"I appreciate the president’s leadership," Calvo said.
"This isn’t the first time we have had threats lobbed against our island. But this time, knowing we have a president and a White House that is watching out for us, gives me great comfort."