Post by Logan on Apr 4, 2017 19:03:47 GMT -6
Sen. Markey Wants To Take Trump's Finger Off The Nuclear Trigger
When President Donald Trump took the oath of office in January, he became, effectively, the most powerful person in the world. Trump alone controls the U.S. nuclear arsenal, which means he has the power to launch, within minutes, hundreds of destructive nuclear weapons, without approval from Congress, the Supreme Court, or anyone in his administration.
Since the election, Trump has said that he “hates proliferation” and believes there should be less nuclear weapons in the world—except, of course, in countries that he believes need to defend themselves, like Saudi Arabia and Japan.
In October, one month before election day, 10 former nuclear launch officers wrote a letter warning the country against trusting Trump with the nuclear codes.
“The pressures the system places on that one person are staggering and require enormous composure, judgment, restraint and diplomatic skill. Donald Trump does not have these leadership qualities,” the statement read. “On the contrary, he has shown himself time and again to be easily baited and quick to lash out, dismissive of expert consultation and ill-informed of even basic military and international affairs—including, most especially, nuclear weapons."
Read more: news.wgbh.org/2017/03/30/boston-public-radio-podcast/sen-markey-wants-take-trumps-finger-nuclear-trigger
When President Donald Trump took the oath of office in January, he became, effectively, the most powerful person in the world. Trump alone controls the U.S. nuclear arsenal, which means he has the power to launch, within minutes, hundreds of destructive nuclear weapons, without approval from Congress, the Supreme Court, or anyone in his administration.
Since the election, Trump has said that he “hates proliferation” and believes there should be less nuclear weapons in the world—except, of course, in countries that he believes need to defend themselves, like Saudi Arabia and Japan.
In October, one month before election day, 10 former nuclear launch officers wrote a letter warning the country against trusting Trump with the nuclear codes.
“The pressures the system places on that one person are staggering and require enormous composure, judgment, restraint and diplomatic skill. Donald Trump does not have these leadership qualities,” the statement read. “On the contrary, he has shown himself time and again to be easily baited and quick to lash out, dismissive of expert consultation and ill-informed of even basic military and international affairs—including, most especially, nuclear weapons."
Read more: news.wgbh.org/2017/03/30/boston-public-radio-podcast/sen-markey-wants-take-trumps-finger-nuclear-trigger