Trump Repeats Plan to 'Do Nuclear Testing' as Global Warnings Mount
Fresh Air Force One remarks sharpen calls to clarify the scope of the directive.
Overview
- Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, the president said the United States is "gonna have nuclear testing" because other countries test, reiterating his recent order to restart testing.
- He offered no definition of what testing entails, and analysts note his comments blur routine missile trials with explosive warhead detonations that major powers have avoided since the 1990s.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the renewed testing push is aimed at verifying the safety of U.S. weapons.
- CTBTO head Robert Floyd warned that any explosive nuclear test would be destabilizing, and UN Secretary‑General António Guterres said nuclear testing should never be permitted.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a U.S. test would end the long‑standing moratorium and that Russia would act accordingly, while China urged Washington to honor its commitment to suspend testing.