[Vause:] Well, the US and Japan are now looking to ramp up the pressure on North Korea after its latest missile launch. By our count, this is number 21 this year alone. This time, the fight path of the missile was directly over Japan's northernmost island Hokkaido, home to more than 5 million people. Warning sirens were heard on the island urging people to take shelter.
[Sesay:] Well, the missile was in the air around 14 minutes. It flew 2,700 kilometers and broke into pieces over the Pacific. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calls it the most grave threat ever.
[Vause:] For more, CNN's Andrew Stevens is live in Tokyo and Paula Hancocks also live this hour in Seoul, South Korea. Andrew first to you, Tokyo has warned of a firm response. What would that look like? And given the conversation in the last hour or so between the Japanese Prime Minister and the U.S. President, it seems that this will be coordinated at least between Tokyo and Washington. Paula, first to you, there is a lot of concern coming from Tokyo. At the same time, there has been an extraordinary response from South Korea.
[Paula Hancocks, Cnn International Correspondent:] That's right, John. This is a stronger response than we've seen from previous missiles certainly. We heard from the defense ministry official that the air force here in South Korea carried out a bombing drill very shortly after this missile launch, saying this was in response to the missile launch. We have four F-15 fighter jets dropping eight 1 ton bombs on to a shooting range about 150 kilometers from the DNC, the NorthSouth Korean border. And what we heard in the press release as well was that they said this was to show the capability of being able to destroy the enemy's leadership. So, a very specific threat there to North Korea, to the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, pointing out that they are able to retaliate in a very quick situation, saying that they could retaliate like that in an emergency situation. So, certainly, we are seeing some kind of response from South Korea from a political point of view. President Moon had actually called for a strong response. We know the foreign minister here has spoken to the US foreign minister Rex Tillerson actually saying that it was disappointing that North Korea chose to carry out this missile launch even though the offer of talks was on the table. John?
[Vause:] OK. Paula from Seoul. And to Tokyo, Andrew, the missile flight over Japan seems to be almost a nightmare for defense planners there in Tokyo.
[Andrew Stevens, Cnn International Correspondent:] Yes, absolutely, John. Previously, the North Koreans had launched missiles in Japan's direction, but they had always used a very high trajectory, which meant that the missiles flashed down in the Sea of Japan between North Korea and Japan. Now, clearly, there has been a missile which has traversed across Japanese airspace. We have seen it before, but the North Koreans in the past mostly have given some sort of indication they were going to do this. There was no indication today, and that is why Shinzo Abe is so upset about this. Remember, these are most likely multiple-stage rockets, which separate during flight, a piece of that rocket could still fall on the Japanese mainland even if the missile is a success. Shinzo Abe making his point very, very clearly in a press conference. Just listen to what he had to say about it.
[Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Of Japan:] The missile which passed over our nation represents the greatest and gravest threat to our nation ever. It also is an egregious threat to the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.
[Stevens:] Abe has been very busy today, not only meeting his emergency cabinet members and discussing what to do, but also talking to Donald Trump, a 40-minute telephone conversation apparently. Mr. Trump saying that the US stood behind Japan 100 percent and would, of course, come to Japan's defense if needed. And both sides pushing for more action, tougher action against North Korea, starting with an emergency meeting which they've called for of the UN Security Council. John.
[Vause:] OK, Andrew. Thank you. Andrew Stevens live in Tokyo. Also, Paula Hancocks live in Seoul with the very latest. Thank You.
[Sesay:] Well, President Donald Trump plans to survey the damage in Texas Tuesday. It's the biggest natural disaster since he took office.
[Vause:] He acknowledged recovery will be a long and difficult road, but thinks the country will come back in his words, "bigger, better and stronger than before."
[Donald J. Trump, President Of The United States:] Tragic times such as these bring out the best in America's character strength, charity and resilience are those characters. We see neighbor helping neighbor, friend helping friend, and stranger helping strangers.
[Sesay:] Well, joining us now Democratic strategist Dave Jacobson and Republican consultant John Thomas. Both are CNN political commentators. Gentlemen, welcome. First off, I want you to take a listen to the president discussing the situation in Texas during the press conference with the Finnish president earlier on Monday. Take a listen.
[Trump:] It's the biggest ever. They're saying it's the biggest. It's historic. It's like really like Texas, if you think about it. But it is a historic amount of water.
[Sesay:] Dave, the president summing up the situation in Texas as only President Trump can. He's also been tweeting his way through this crisis using lots of exclamation marks. Your assessment of how he's responded so far.
[Dave Jacobson, Cnn Political Commentator:] There's no doubt that President Trump has like come out and tweeted about the hurricane and promised financial aid and FEMA aid and that his administration was going to respond. But I thought what was extraordinary was the fact the time that, pardon me a president is supposed to bring the country together and is supposed to be a beacon of strength for the country, a time of tremendous devastation, he's fanning the flames of polarization across this country. He spent the weekend pardoning a known racist, a convicted felon, Sheriff Joe from Arizona, and then he endorsed a book deal from a Milwaukee sheriff who, of course, is a controversial figure who labeled Black Lives Matter as a hate group, basically equating them to neo-Nazis. And then, at the same time, he doubled down on the wall. So, he's furthering splitting the country rather than bringing the country together.
[Sesay:] John, go ahead.
[John Thomas, Cnn Political Commentator:] As much as my friend Dave wants to turn this disaster response into a partisan issue, the president actually deserves kudos. And he's received it across the aisle for doing a good job, empowering FEMA to do what they need to do to get things done. Everything seems to be according to plan. And for once the exclamation points, the braggadocious nature of everything being the biggest, is applicable in this scenario.
[Sesay:] What about the point of mixing politics with a natural disaster in pardoning Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the timing of all of these things emerging. The Arpaio stuff, officially instructing the military to ban transgender, all of that happened on Friday as Harvey was taking center stage.
[Thomas:] The president the government doesn't stop just because there's a natural
[Sesay:] The government is calculating. You know that. All governments are. Do you think that timing was such to dump it and so people would miss it, that news?
[Thomas:] It's funny. On Friday, I heard both stories. I heard Democrats speaking out both sides of the mouth. One was this is a strategic cue to pander to the base. Well, if you're going to pander to the base, you do it loudly, so they hear it. Others said he's trying to bury the news, so that no one knows he's pardoning a racist. I can't speak to the president's intent. All I know is he took action.
[Sesay:] All right. So, let's listen to what the president said because the president explained his actions. Let's roll the clip.
[Trump:] In the middle of a hurricane, even though it was a Friday evening, I assume the ratings would be far higher than they would be normally. The hurricane was just starting.
[Sesay:] So, it's about the ratings. Dave?
[Jacobson:] There you go. He's bragging again, right? The reality is Donald Trump never misses an opportunity to exploit his self- indulgence when it comes to being an egomaniac. And the reality is like he wants to be in the headlines and clearly Hurricane Harvey was taking away from that. But I think here is the other issue. Like, he has to govern and he has to get a bill through to actually fund the relief. And this weekend he was tweeting to Senator Claire McCaskill from Missouri, bragging about his electoral victory over the weekend at a time when he should be talking about the hurricane. He's going to need her vote to pass a relief funds bill
[Sesay:] John, the president is going to go to Texas on Tuesday. The question is, can he stick to the script. Can he keep it about Texas? Or does it become about the president?
[Thomas:] I think, at this point, they're one and the same. I think the president is focused on the federal government giving the proper response to the governor of Texas, who said that he's been thrilled with the reaction and the relationship that the president has had towards Texas at this point. Time will tell. But so far, I give the president I think most people a pretty darn good rating in terms of handling this disaster.
[Sesay:] Apart from Dave. Dave, what are your expectations for the president's trip on Tuesday?
[Jacobson:] I think the question is like, is he going to act presidential? Will he be cool, calm and collected and measured? And from what we've seen throughout the last seven months of this presidency, I doubt that's going to be the case.
[Thomas:] I think the difference is Dave wants he's concerned about temperament. I am concerned about actions and results.
[Sesay:] Ooh.
[Jacobson:] We shall see.
[Sesay:] Gentlemen, thank you.
[Jacobson:] Thanks.
[Vause:] Well, Houston city officials are trying to reassure undocumented immigrants. There's no risk of deportation if they need to be rescued or seek shelter or other help. The mayor says, everyone who needs help will be helped regardless of immigration status. A storm hit days before a new Texas law takes effect, cracking down on so-called sanctuary cities. That law which requires police and other officials to enforce federal immigration statutes is currently being challenged in court. The city tweeted this message out about an hour so ago. We will not ask for immigration status or papers from anyone at any shelter. This rumor is false, assuming that the rumor that they would ask, is in fact false. It's a little confusing that tweet.
[Sesay:] Yes, it is. When we come back, a lot more from the Texas flood zone. This was a scene just before nightfall in Houston. In a moment, we'll hear from a pastor helping the stranded as those flood waters rise.