President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his directive for the Pentagon to commence nuclear weapons testing. During an exchange with reporters, Trump hinted at an impending announcement, saying, “You’ll find out very soon. But we’re going to do some testing, yeah.” He explained the rationale behind the decision as a competitive necessity, stating, “Other countries do it. If they’re going to do it, we’re going to do it.” This stance aligns with his recent claims about the U.S. having the world’s most powerful nuclear arsenal, developed significantly during his tenure.
The history of U.S. nuclear testing includes 1,054 detonations between 1945 and 1992, primarily conducted underground in Nevada. The cessation of these tests was prompted by environmental impacts and a shift in geopolitical dynamics following the Cold War. Although a moratorium has been in place, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, signed in 1997, has faced challenges in achieving universal ratification, including from the U.S. Senate.