President Trump and his administration have announced the resumption of U.S. nuclear weapons testing for the first time since 1992, ending a 33-year voluntary moratorium.
The directive, issued via social media just before Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, orders the Pentagon to “immediately” begin testing “on an equal basis” with other nations. Administration officials framed the move as a direct response to aggressive nuclear advancements by Russia and China, citing Russia’s recent tests of a nuclear-powered Poseidon torpedo and China’s rapid expansion of its arsenal by about 100 warheads annually. Trump emphasized that the U.S. must maintain its pace to ensure deterrence, warning that unchecked programs by rivals threaten American superiority.
The announcement has sparked divided reactions across the political spectrum and globe. Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, decried it as “weakness masquerading as strength,” while environmental groups and experts warn of historical perils like radioactive fallout, cancer clusters near Nevada test sites, and a potential new arms race.
The Kremlin condemned the decision, and the UN cautioned against reigniting global tensions.
Supporters, including defense hawks, hail it as essential for national security, arguing that simulated testing alone cannot verify warheads against rivals’ innovations, thus deterring aggression from Moscow and Beijing. Logistically, restarting operations at the Nevada National Security Site could take years and millions of dollars, involving safety upgrades and international notifications.
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