© Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump gestures as he speaks upon the return of US detainees Tony Kim (front L), Kim Hak-song (R) and Kim Dong-chul (3rd R) after they were released by North Korea, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on May 10, 2018.
Trump spoke briefly to reporters on the tarmac, calling it a "great honor" to welcome the hostages home. The remarks were positive and lighthearted except for a moment when a reporter asked about the new secretary of state, Mike Pompeo.
The Times ran a story Tuesday with the headline, "At a Key Moment, Trumps Top Diplomat Is Again Thousands of Miles Away," before it was revealed that he was negotiating the release of the hostages.
"I think our secretary of state, despite the fact that the New York Times said he was missing - he was in North Korea - but I think our secretary of state has done a fantastic job," Trump said.
"Mike, did you know that you were missing? They couldn't find you," the president said, turning to Pompeo. "They couldn't find you. They couldn't find him. They couldn't find him because he was in North Korea."
Kim Dong-Chul, Kim Hak-Song and Tony Kim, who had been held for a least a year, were released in the lead-up to the historic meeting planned between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Trump planned in the coming weeks.
They were welcomed by Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in a 3 a.m. arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
The three men are reportedly healthy and are being released to their families after being debriefed by officials.
Comment: Those three sure don't look/sound American. Going by their 'polished bios', they're probably defectors who agreed to work as US spies in North Korea.
Further reading: WaPo Outraged That Trump Lies About Everything That Doesn't Matter