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President Donald Trump announced that he has ordered the United States to resume nuclear weapons testing “immediately,” saying he directed the Department of War to match other nations’ programs. He called the move a necessary step to maintain global parity.
Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Wednesday night: “The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office.”
“Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years,” Trump said. “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after a high-stakes meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Trump said it was a response to other nations’ recent actions.
TRUMP REPOSITIONS 2 NUCLEAR SUBMARINES AFTER ‘HIGHLY PROVOCATIVE’ RUSSIAN COMMENTS
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Anchorage, Alaska. ( Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
“It had to do with others — they seemed to all be nuclear testing. We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We don’t do testing. We halted it many years ago, but with others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also,” Trump said.
Trump declined to provide details on where and when testing might take place when pressed for the information.
“It’ll be announced. You know, we have test sites. It’ll be announced,” he said.
Trump also said he did not believe that resuming U.S. nuclear tests could make the global environment more dangerous.
“I don’t think so. I think we have it pretty well locked up,” he said. “But we have more than anybody, and I see them testing. I say, well, they’re testing, we…
