US officials bracing for imminent North Korea test of intercontinental ballistic missile

U.S. military and intelligence officials are reportedly bracing for an imminent test by North Korea of an intercontinental missile as negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang continue to stall.

North Korea has threatened to give the U.S. a “Christmas gift” if no progress is made on lifting sanctions, but officials appear to accept the fact that President Trump has no options to prevent a test, The New York Times reported Saturday.

The North testing a ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S. would mark a major setback for Trump’s efforts to rein in Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile ambitions, something he has touted as a top foreign policy initiative. It would also come as the president faces major political fallout domestically after the House voted to impeach him this week.