Photo: Getty Images
President Donald Trump ordered the Defense Department to "immediately" begin testing nuclear weapons for the first time in 33 years, claiming he wanted the procedure to be conducted "on an equal basis" with Russia and China.
"The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account Wednesday (October 29). "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. 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP."
The United States had its last confirmed nuclear test in 1992 when late former President George H.W. Bush announced a moratorium on underground nuclear testing. The U.S. can resume testing at a federal site in Nevada, according to NBC News.
China's last known testing of nuclear weapons took place in 1996 and Russia's recent testing didn't result in any being detonated, rather just the delivery of technology. Trump reiterated that his order "had to do with others" while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, claiming "they seem to all be nuclear testing."
“We don’t do testing. We’ve halted it years, many years ago. But with others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also,” Trump said following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping via NBC News.