Dem claims Trump wielding nuclear strike authority ‘should terrify you’ — then people point out the obvious

Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, recently raised concerns about President-elect Donald Trump having the sole authority to launch a nuclear strike. In a post on social media, Markey emphasized the gravity of this situation, stating, \”Come January, Donald Trump will have the sole authority to launch a nuclear strike. This should terrify you. That’s why @RepTedLieu and I are urging @POTUS to put guardrails on presidential authority to start nuclear war.\”

Despite Trump’s previous term in office from 2017 to 2021, during which he did not use nuclear weapons, Markey remains deeply troubled by the potential catastrophic consequences of a nuclear attack. Trump himself has acknowledged the immense danger posed by these weapons, referring to them as the single biggest threat to civilization.

In response to Markey’s concerns, some individuals pointed out that Trump had the authority to initiate a nuclear strike during his previous term in office and did not do so. However, Markey and Rep. Ted Lieu of California are pushing for a policy change that would require express authorization from Congress before a nuclear first strike could be launched.

In a joint letter to President Joe Biden, Markey and Lieu urged the president to announce a new policy stating that the United States will not initiate a nuclear first strike without prior congressional approval. They emphasized the importance of safeguarding against any future unstable presidents and ensuring that Congress’s constitutional role is respected in matters of national security.

Markey and Lieu have long advocated for this policy shift, introducing legislation such as the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act to prevent a president from unilaterally launching a nuclear strike. They believe that with Trump set to return to the Oval Office, it is more crucial than ever to restrict the power to initiate a nuclear war and involve Congress in such critical decisions.

As the debate over nuclear weapons and presidential authority continues, it is clear that Markey and Lieu are committed to promoting policies that prioritize the safety and security of the American people. Their efforts to address the potential risks associated with presidential control over nuclear weapons underscore the need for thoughtful and responsible decision-making in matters of national defense.