Trump Announces When US Will Start Testing Nuclear Weapons

President Donald Trump has ordered testing of American nuclear weapons to start “immediately.”

“Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “That process will begin immediately.”

“The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country,” he said. “This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.”

Trump penned the post shortly before meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday in South Korea. 

It is unclear if this statement refers to test firing of nuclear-capable rockets and missiles; sub-critical tests of nuclear components, which Russia and China have done for years; or full yield-producing nuclear explosive testing. 

“While we certainly want to avoid any kind of nuclear war, there may be compelling reasons to once again engage in super-critical tests or even yield-producing nuclear tests in the coming months or years,” Heritage Foundation national security expert Robert Peters said. “For these reasons, the United States’ Departments of both War and Energy should prepare to test the full range of its nuclear capabilities, if required.”

The U.S. military regularly tests its missiles that are capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. However, the Department of War it has not detonated the weapons in almost 35 years because of a test ban.

Former President George H.W. Bush put a moratorium on nuclear detonations in place in 1991. President Bill Clinton would go on to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1996.

A reporter asked Trump on his flight away from South Korea if the world was entering a more risky environment when it comes to nuclear issues.

“I think we have it pretty well locked up,” Trump said. “But I see them testing. I say, well, they’re going to test, I guess we have to test.”

China and Russia have renovated their historical nuclear test sites in recent years. Only North Korea has detonated nuclear weapons since 1998.