Overview
- Trump directed the “War Department” to begin testing nuclear weapons at once without clarifying whether he meant warhead detonations or tests of delivery systems.
- Responsibility for any nuclear explosive testing resides with the National Nuclear Security Administration at the Energy Department rather than the Pentagon.
- Specialists say reactivating underground testing in Nevada would take months to years, require significant site work, and cost from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.
- The Kremlin said it was surprised by the announcement and signaled Russia would respond if the U.S. resumes tests, as arms-control advocates warn of a broader arms race.
- Domestic pushback is mounting, including opposition from Nevada lawmakers and nonproliferation groups, while a former DHS official said Trump previously talked about wanting to “see bombs explode.”