Trump's nuclear weapons testing plans won't include explosions, energy secretary says
Share this @internewscast.com


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified on Sunday that the nuclear weapons system testing, recently ordered by President Donald Trump, will not involve nuclear detonations.

This announcement provided much-needed clarity following Trump’s social media post last week, where he stated he had directed the “Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis.”

During a discussion on Fox News’ “Sunday Briefing,” Wright explained, “The tests we’re discussing are system tests, not nuclear explosions. These are referred to as noncritical explosions.”

Wright emphasized that the upcoming tests will focus on evaluating “all the other components of a nuclear weapon to ensure they achieve the correct geometry to initiate a nuclear explosion.”

Uncertainty about Trump’s intentions arose just before a pivotal meeting he had with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Trump’s post on Truth Social seemed to imply a potential end to the long-standing U.S. ban on nuclear weapon testing.

As Trump returned to Washington, he remained ambiguous about whether his statement implied a renewal of explosive nuclear tests—conducted only by North Korea in recent years—or if it pertained to testing delivery systems, which is a more common practice.

He remained opaque on Friday when asked by reporters about whether he intended to resume underground nuclear detonation tests.

“You’ll find out very soon,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, as he headed to Florida for a weekend stay.

The U.S. military regularly tests its missiles that are capable of delivering a nuclear warhead, but it has not detonated the weapons since 1992. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which the U.S. signed but did not ratify, has been observed since its adoption by all countries possessing nuclear weapons, North Korea being the only exception.

Trump announced his plans for nuclear tests after Russia announced it had tested a new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone and a new nuclear-powered cruise missile.

Russia responded to Trump’s nuclear testing comments by underscoring that it did not test its nuclear weapons and has abided by a global ban on nuclear testing.

The Kremlin warned though, that if the U.S. resumes testing its weapons, Russia will as well — an intensification that would restart Cold War-era tensions.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tennessee Legislation Challenges CVS in Pharmacy Benefit Manager Dispute

A proposed piece of legislation currently under discussion in the Tennessee legislature…

Conflicting Narratives: Trump Officials Offer Diverging Views on U.S. Mission in Iran

Iran’s nuclear ambitions, its missile programs, its network of proxies, and the…

Tennessee on the Brink: Republicans Pave the Way for Medical Marijuana Legalization

In a notable development, several Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have suggested that…

Ocoee Nurse Charged with Sexual Misconduct Involving Amputee Patient Sparks Legal and Ethical Outcry

ORLANDO, Fla. – This week, the Orlando Police Department apprehended an Ocoee…

104 Candidates Reinstated on Ballots as Verified Republicans

In an unexpected turn of events, over a hundred Republican candidates in…

Orlando International Airport Steps Up: Launches Supply Drive to Support Federal Workers Amid Government Shutdown

ORLANDO, Fla. – Last month, the Department of Homeland Security experienced a…

Asian Markets Show Varied Performance Amid Declining Oil Prices and Wall Street’s Downturn

HONG KONG – Asian stock markets displayed a mixed performance on Friday,…

Niswonger Children’s Hospital Unveils State-of-the-Art NICU Expansion, Enhancing Neonatal Care

On Thursday, the annual Niswonger Children’s Hospital Radiothon fundraiser kicked off in…

US Postal Service Faces Financial Crisis: Congressional Intervention Needed to Avoid Cash Shortage by 2024

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is on the brink of a financial…