Trump Directs Pentagon to Immediately Test Nuclear Weapons

Former President Donald Trump has issued a directive to the U.S. Department of Defense, instructing it to immediately commence nuclear weapons testing, aiming to achieve parity with the programs of China and Russia. The command, revealed in a Wednesday post on Trump’s Truth Social platform, stated: “because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.”

This significant declaration arrived just under an hour before Trump was scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday morning. The highly anticipated encounter marks the first face-to-face discussion between the two leaders since 2019, primarily focused on de-escalating an ongoing trade dispute.

### Escalating Global Nuclear Posturing

Trump’s Wednesday night missive also followed closely on the heels of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement on Sunday. Putin revealed that Russia had successfully tested its “unique” nuclear-capable Burevestnik cruise missile. The Kremlin characterized this test as a vital step to “ensure the country’s national security.” Trump subsequently deemed Putin’s announcement “not appropriate.” Sergei Ryabkov, a close aide to Putin, informed Russian media that Moscow had provided advance notification to the United States regarding the test.

The timing of Russia’s Burevestnik test is particularly noteworthy, unfolding amidst heightened nuclear rhetoric from the Kremlin and a breakdown in U.S.-Russia discussions concerning the conflict in Ukraine. Adding to these developments, Putin stated on Wednesday that Russia had also conducted a test of its Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo. Military analysts, according to Reuters, suggest this weapon is capable of devastating coastal regions by generating immense radioactive ocean swells.

### Fact-Checking Arsenal Claims and Historical Context

In his Truth Social post, Trump also incorrectly asserted that the United States possesses more nuclear weapons than any other nation. Current data from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) indicates that Russia holds the largest confirmed nuclear arsenal, with over 5,500 nuclear warheads. The United States follows with 5,044 nuclear weapons.

The last nuclear test conducted by the U.S., code-named “Divider,” occurred on September 23, 1992, at what is now known as the Nevada National Security Site. Following this, then-President George H.W. Bush announced a moratorium on underground nuclear testing, a policy that has largely remained in place for over three decades.

Trump’s instruction to restart nuclear weapons testing signals a potential dramatic shift in U.S. defense policy and international arms control, placing it firmly in the context of growing geopolitical tensions and renewed emphasis on strategic deterrence by major global powers. The implications of such a directive, particularly as the U.S. navigates complex diplomatic engagements, remain to be seen.

Source: The Guardian