US President Biden Jokes To Workers That He Has The Codes To Blow Up The World. Calls Trump A Congressman

 

Daily Mail: Joe Biden, 81, jokes he has a code to 'blow up the world' and appears to think Donald Trump is a congressman in gaffe-strewn visit to windmill factory 

* Biden was visiting world's biggest maker of wind turbines in Colorado 

* He joked about the 'nuclear football' carried by his military aide 

Joe Biden bragged that he had a 'code to blow up the world' as he chatted about nuclear weapons on a visit to the world's largest windmill factory. 

The president went on to mistakenly call his predecessor 'Congressman Trump' in a gaffe-strewn appearance. 

As he approached three yellow-vested workers at the facility in Colorado one of them appeared to ask the president an inaudible question. 

Biden responded: 'Now look, my, my marine carries that. It has a code to blow up the world. That doesn't, this is not....nuclear weapons is it....alright, ok...you think I'm kidding.'  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Biden jokes about nuclear football, calls Trump ‘congressman’ in gaffe-filled Colorado stop (NYPost)  

Update #2: Biden draws criticism for joking that he could ‘blow up the world’ (Washington Times)  

WNU Editor: It is incidences like this one that I sometimes feel we are near the end of times. On the same topic on having the codes to blow-up the world .... REVEALED: Biden's 'nuclear football' contains BOOK that tells president how to launch attack by contacting 'Looking Glass' plane and spherical bunker where four keys ignite missiles (Daily Mail)

Russian President Putin Spotted In China With 'Nuclear Suitcase'

 

Reuters: Putin filmed in China accompanied by officers with Russian nuclear briefcase 

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Rare footage was shown on Wednesday of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing accompanied by officers carrying the so-called nuclear briefcase which can be used to order a nuclear strike. 

Putin, after a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, was filmed walking to another meeting surrounded by security and followed by two Russian naval officers in uniform each carrying a briefcase. The camera zooms in on one of the briefcases. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It is very rare to see the Russian President being followed by the Russian nuclear "football". I think this was done on purpose. To send a message to the US and the West. 

Russian President Putin Spotted In China With 'Nuclear Suitcase'

Putin spotted in China with nuclear briefcase nearby in rare footage: report -- FOX News  

Rare Footage: Putin Filmed With Nuclear Briefcase During China Visit -- KNewz  

The Nuclear Suitcase: A Symbol of Russia’s Shifting Nuclear Policy and Alliance with China -- BNN News

Behind-The-Scenes Story Of The Mysterious 'Nuclear Football' That Follows The US President Everywhere

The contents of the 40lb titanium case allows the president to authorise use of the country's nuclear arsenal, and can only be opened by the leader.  

ABC News Australia: The behind-the-scenes story of the mysterious 'nuclear football' that follows the US president everywhere 

The heavy black bag that follows the US president's every step, commonly nicknamed the "nuclear football" has been shrouded in secrecy for decades. 

But the most important — and mysterious — "football" in the world isn't really a football at all. 

Officially called the "Presidential Emergency Satchel", the nuclear football is a bulky briefcase that contains atomic war plans and enables the president to transmit nuclear orders to the Pentagon. 

The heavy case is carried by a military officer who is never far behind the president. 

But apart from sightings as the commander-in-chief boards a helicopter or exits meetings with world leaders, many details of the case remain classified.  

Read more ....  

Update: You always hear about the ‘nuclear football.’ Here’s the behind-the-scenes story (AP)  

WNU Editor: Here is an interesting read .... Female US Army officer brings Joe Biden's 'nuclear football' to Downing Street - the 40lb titanium case that would allow US president to launch atomic attack (Daily Mail).

Nuclear Football Seen Near Russian President Putin

Pictured: Aides were seen close to the dictator carrying two black bags said to contain his nuclear key  

Express: Putin brings nuclear football that can launch missiles at any moment to war memorial  

Vladimir Putin has been seen with his nuclear briefcase, sending a threatening message to the West. 

During a visit to Volgograd to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the battle of Stalingrad, two of Putin's security guards were seen carrying black cases. 

It is said that one of the black cases carried by Putin's security guards serves as a foldable shield to protect him in case of an attack, while the other is thought to hold the button for launching Russia's nuclear weapons. 

The briefcase, known as Cheget in Russian, has a personalised key code and is constantly monitored to control Moscow's nuclear arsenal. 

It is said to be always accompanied by an armed security officer who travels with Putin. Read more ....  

Update: Putin brings ‘nuclear briefcase’ able to launch Armageddon at ANY moment to war commemoration in chilling taunt to West (The SUN).  

WNU Editor: This picture and video was deliberate. It is the Kremlin reminding the West that they are currently engaged in a war with a nuclear power, and to assure the Russian public that the security of the state is paramount..

Putin Filmed With Nuclear Football Nearby

IBTimes: Putin Filmed With Nuclear Football; Secret Briefcase Seen In Hands of Russian President's Guards While He Was Firing A Sniper Rifle 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been filmed with a secret briefcase on Thursday. 

He is being seen firing a sniper rifle at a training camp for conscripts. 

At the camp, one of Putin's guards was seen with the nuclear football at a time when the risk of nuclear conflict over the Ukraine invasion is much higher than ever. 

Wearing protective eye goggles, Putin tested the rifle Ryazan region's training ground, which is more than 170 km from the Russian capital. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Watch as Putin fires rifle at training camp while aide ‘carries nuclear football’ (The SUN)  

Update #2: Putin’s latest machismo appearance features sighting of ‘nuclear football’ — Sky News (The New Voice of Ukraine)  

WNU Editor: Small suitcase.

Russian President Putin Makes A Rare Public Appearance At The Funeral For Ultranationalist Politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky

Putin took his 'nuclear football' to the funeral in a Moscow cathedral today, raising fears of a potential attack  

Daily Mail: Putin takes his 'nuclear football' to funeral of Russian politician who revealed date of Ukraine invasion and has ceremony cleared of mourning relatives amid 'assassination fears' 

* Putin attended the funeral for ultranationalist politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky 

* The president was accompanied by a man carrying a black briefcase 

* Zhirinovsky died from 'Covid' after he gave away the date of Russian invasion 

Vladimir Putin has taken his 'nuclear football' to the funeral of a far-right politician in a Moscow cathedral today, raising fears of a potential attack. 

The Russian leader was accompanied by a man in a suit carrying the briefcase which can launch an attack remotely, during the open casket ceremony for ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky. 

Mourners were also cleared away when the president paid his respects to Zhirinovsky, showing his fears of an assassination attempt at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: GOING NUCLEAR Chilling moment Putin is pictured with ‘Russia’s secret nuclear briefcase’ at funeral – amid fears of World War 3 (The SUN) 

Update #2: Putin attends funeral as guard holds suspected nuclear briefcase amid assassination fears (Mirror)  

WNU Editor: The nuclear football is always present and nearby for leaders like Biden, Putin, and Xi. This is nothing new. 

This is what the Russian nuclear football looks like (see video below): 

Former US Military Aide Who Carried 'Nuclear Football' Says There Is A Problem In The Security Chain To Launch Nuclear Missiles

The nuclear football, also known as the president's emergency satchel, contains codes for unleashing a nuclear strike. It is always carried by rotating presidential military aide that follows the president where ever he goes 

Daily Mail: EXCLUSIVE: Former military aide who carried 'nuclear football' for George HW Bush reveals a gaping hole in the security chain that could enable a 'marauder to obtain the access card and pose as the president' 

* The Pentagon last week announced there would be a review of procedures for the nuclear football after Capitol rioters got within 100ft of Mike Pence on January 6 

* Retired military officer John Stufflebeem says the president's 'nuclear football' is far more vulnerable to compromise than Americans realize 

* 'The way it has been designed, it could be if a marauder obtained the card and used it to pose as the president or vice president,' he told DailyMail.com 

* The briefcase, which contains codes for unleashing a nuclear strike, follows the president where ever he goes and a backup one travels with the vice president 

* But Stuffelbeem said the current security protocols do not take into account the prospect of the 'football carrier' getting separated from the president 

* 'Can the military aide be separated from the president or vice president? We know that is possible,' he said, citing Ronald Reagan's assassination attempt

* He also revealed the system does not depend on voice recognition, meaning anyone who gains access to the codes could verbally authorize a strike 

The president's so-called 'nuclear football' and its codes for unleashing a nuclear strike are far more vulnerable to compromise by foreign foes, terrorists, or extortionists than Americans realize, John Stufflebeem, a former military aide who carried the briefcase, has revealed. 

The retired Navy vice admiral, who was the military aide to President George H. W. Bush and later oversaw the top secret program himself, says that he has long been concerned about the lack of a fail-safe mechanisms to guard against a hostile takeover of the system for launching a nuclear attack. 

Read more ....  

Update: Ex-aide who carried ‘nuclear football’ for Bush reveals HUGE security flaw that could allow access to apocalyptic device (The SUN)  

WNU Editor: There is a review currently underway .... Pentagon Inspector General Exploring A Better Way To Secure The ‘Nuclear Football’ (July 20, 2021).

Pentagon Inspector General Exploring A Better Way To Secure The ‘Nuclear Football’

A military aide, left, carries the "president's emergency satchel," also known as the "nuclear football." (Gerald Herbert/AP)  

Military Times: Pentagon inspector general exploring how to better secure the ‘nuclear football’ 

As they moved to escape the Capitol on Jan. 6, protestors who had violently broken down the doors and through the windows of the building came within yards of then-Vice President Mike Pence and his team, and thus a briefcase containing the procedures to launch a nuclear strike in the event of the president’s incapacitation. 

On Monday, the Defense Department inspector general’s office announced a project that will evaluate the procedures in place should a “nuclear football,” which travel at all times with both the president and vice president, be lost or compromised, according to a release. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Washington is still freaking out over this .... How Close Did the Capitol Rioters Get to the Nuclear “Football”? (Slate).

U.S., Russian Leaders And Their 'Nuclear Suitcases'

Acting Russian President Vladimir Putin receives the nuclear briefcases (lower right) in the Kremlin late on December 31, 1999.  

RFE: Packed For The Apocalypse: U.S., Russian Leaders And Their 'Nuclear Suitcases' 

A historical look at the "nuclear suitcases" that accompany the Russian and U.S. leaders wherever they go, including this week when Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin are in Geneva for a summit. 

This leather satchel is known as the United States' "nuclear football." 

And these hardcase containers carried by Russian servicemen are known as the "Cheget" system. The nuclear briefcases are named after a mountain in Russia's Caucasus region. 

Both countries' doomsday devices will be somewhere close at hand when U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, meet in Geneva on June 16. 

The frightening hand luggage enables its owner to destroy much of civilization by ordering nuclear missile strikes from anywhere on Earth.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It is moments like this that I wonder if other world leaders with nuclear weapons have a person in the background carrying a nuclear briefcase. Time to do some research for a future post.

Were The Capital Rioters Close To Seizing The Nuclear 'Football' From Vice President Pence?

Photo illustration by Slate. Capitol security footage via NBC News. 

Slate: How Close Did the Capitol Rioters Get to the Nuclear “Football”? 

The video of Mike Pence shown during the impeachment revealed something startling about the nuclear chain of command. 

Among the many startling videos shown at Wednesday’s impeachment trial documenting the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, there was one clip that was so brief, subtle, and beside the immediate point that the House managers didn’t highlight it—but it was nevertheless hugely enlightening. It revealed that, like the president, the vice president is routinely escorted by a military aide who carries a satchel containing the codes that allow him to launch a nuclear attack. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: A lot of speculation in the above post. But having the Vice-President being followed by a military aide with the nuclear football is not a surprise. This blog has covered it before. 

As for the House Speaker being followed by a military aide with the nuclear football. In the all years of seeing the House Speaker (Ryan/Pelosi) in videos where they are in public, I have never seen a military aide near him or her.

Update: Military officials were unaware of potential danger to Pence's 'nuclear football' during Capitol riot (CNN)

This Is How President Trump Will Hand Off The 'Nuclear Football' To President-Elect Biden

A military aide carries the nuclear football. Photograph: Joshua Roberts, Reuters 

CNN: How Trump will hand off the 'nuclear football' to Biden 

Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump will not be in attendance Wednesday to watch as his successor Joe Biden is sworn into office, but his absence will have little impact on what may be one of the most important moments of Inauguration Day, the handing off of the "nuclear football." 

The "football," which contains the equipment that Trump would use to authenticate his orders and launch a nuclear strike, is carried by a military aide who accompanies the President at all times -- up to the second he officially leaves office on January 20. 

Typically, the football would be handed off to another military aide standing on or nearby the inauguration viewing stand as Biden takes his oath of office. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: I always thought there was only one nuclear football. But apparently there are more ....

.... "There are at least three to four identical 'footballs': one follows the president, one follows the vice president, and one traditionally is set aside for the designated survivor at events like inaugurations and State of the Union addresses," according to Schwartz..

Is The President The Weakest Link In U.S. Nuclear Strategy?

A Navy officer carrying the football in his right hand 

Loren Thompson, Forbes: Why The President Is The Weakest Link In U.S. Nuclear Strategy 

President Trump’s hospitalization after testing positive for Covid-19 is one of many instances in which the performance of the nation’s chief executive has been impaired by medical issues. 

Eisenhower had a massive heart attack in 1955. His successor, John F. Kennedy, was afflicted by Addison’s disease and various other maladies that required heavy use of painkillers. Kennedy’s successor, Lyndon Johnson, was hospitalized during the Hong Kong flu pandemic of 1968. 

Other presidents have seen their performance compromised by psychological issues. Richard Nixon became clinically depressed during the Watergate controversy and took to drinking heavily. Ronald Reagan may have exhibited early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease during the closing years of his presidency.

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Leaving the authority to launch a nuclear attack in the hands of the President is a system that has worked since the Cold War. Is now the time for a review? My answer is no, but these politicians may want to change that .... In 25th Amendment bid, Pelosi mulls Trump’s fitness to serve (AP)

White House Military Adviser Who Carries The 'Nuclear Football' Tested Positive For Covid-19

White House aides, including the military aide carrying the nuclear launch codes known as "the nuclear football," follow President Trump as he boards the Marine One helicopter to fly to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, October 2. REUTERS/Leah Millis

This is accurate. There are always 5 POTUS milaides, one from each service. One task they perform: carry "the football." They also handle the phones for the president, do advance for trips, many other tasks. They're all active duty.
The VP has a separate set of military aides. https://t.co/JxhY7ok8uj

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) October 6, 2020

The Week: At least 1 of Trump's military aides tasked with carrying the nuclear 'football' reportedly has coronavirus 

President Trump's military aides have a big job. At least one of them also has coronavirus. 

At least one of the president's five military aides tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, after Trump himself tested positive, CNN first reported and Bloomberg confirmed. The aides, each representing one branch of the U.S. military, stay close to Trump at all times, and carry his emergency briefcase known as the "nuclear football." 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Some are saying that now is the time to retire the "nuclear football" .... Trump’s COVID infection shows why it’s time to retire the nuclear football (Bulletin of The Atomic Scientists).

'Nuclear Football' Spotted When President Trump Boarded Marine One Yesterday To Fly To Walter Reed National Medical Center

Donald Trump's 'nuclear football', the briefcase which could trigger doomsday, was loaded onto Marine One alongside the President as he was airlifted to hospital for coronavirus treatment 

Daily Mail: Trump's 'nuclear football' boards Marine One: US President is airlifted to hospital for COVID treatment with briefcase that could trigger doomsday - as he insists 'I'm doing well' 

 * The leader of the western world is always followed by the briefcase and a military aide wherever he goes 

 * It has joined every president when they are away from the White House since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 

 * The football is carried to allow the president to be able to launch a nuclear strike at short notice if needed 

 * Trump tweeted an upbeat message from hospital where he is being treated with experimental antibody drug 

Donald Trump's 'nuclear football', the briefcase which could trigger doomsday, was loaded onto Marine One alongside the President as he was airlifted to hospital for coronavirus treatment. 

The leader of the western world is always followed by the case - officially called the Presidential Emergency Satchel - and a military aide wherever he goes so he can launch a nuclear strike at short notice.  

Even Trump's Covid-19 diagnosis was not enough to stop the procedure still being followed, as aides brought the football aboard his helicopter.

The President tweeted an upbeat message from hospital last night where he is being treated with an experimental antibody treatment after reports claimed that he was having 'trouble breathing'. 

Read more .... 

Update: Trump’s ‘nuclear football’ briefcase that holds doomsday missile launch codes is seen traveling to hospital with him (The SUN) 

WNU Editor: It is always a sobering feeling to see the nuclear football. To know that what is inside a briefcase can destroy the world as we know it in less than an hour.

Russian TV Shows The Russian President's Nuclear Foortball

The inside of Russia's nuclear briefcase has been displayed on television in a rare glimpse

Daily Mail: Inside Putin's nuclear briefcase: Russian TV shows rare glimpse of one of three attache cases Moscow could use to unleash World War III

* Briefcase said to contain codes to Russia's nuclear arsenal shown on television
* Inside of cheget displayed on Zvezda, a channel run by the Ministry of Defence
* Controller has distinctly unmodern-looking number pad and four large buttons

A Russian television network has given a rare glimpse into one of three carefully guarded briefcases that Moscow could use to trigger nuclear strikes.

The case, which has a personalised key code, a flash card and is under constant supervision, is said to remotely control Russia's nuclear arsenal.

It allows president Vladimir Putin to give the order to launch a nuclear weapon by sending a permission code to the Strategic Missile Forces. The cases can also warn Putin and two other high-ranked officials who carry them of any early signs of a nuclear attack.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: More details on Russia's nuclear football can be read from this nine year old post .... Questions Arise Over Russia's Nuclear Football (May 28, 2010).

President Trump Talked About Using Nuclear Football On North Korea During Puerto Rico Visit In 2017

CNN: Sources to CNN: During Puerto Rico visit, Trump talked about using nuclear football on North Korea

He was there to survey the path of destruction left by Hurricane Maria. But when President Donald Trump visited Puerto Rico in October 2017, the island's dire predicament was hardly the only topic on his mind.

People familiar with the visit said the President was distracted by other matters -- including his then-devolving war of words with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un -- as he toured devastated neighborhoods and took an aerial tour of the damage.

At one point, Trump pointed to the "nuclear football" -- a briefcase always in the President's vicinity that can be used to authorize a nuclear attack -- and claimed he could use it on Kim whenever he felt.

"This is what I have for Kim," he said, according to three people familiar who witnessed the remark.

Read more ....

WNU Editor:  This is CNN's interpretation. But the nuclear football is always near the President, and I am sure President Trump has commented on it numerous times in the past two years.

More Details Emerge On What Happened To President Trump's Nuclear Football When He Was In China

FACT CHECK: Reports about Secret Service agents tackling a host nation official during the President’s trip to China in Nov 2017 are false

— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) February 19, 2018

The Warzone/The Drive: Confusion Surrounds Confrontation With Nuclear Football During Trump's Beijing Visit

The US Secret Service says no one got "tackled," but has not denied that an incident occurred while Trump was in China in November 2017.

A new report has surfaced suggesting that White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and an unnamed member of the U.S. Secret Service got into a physical altercation with Chinese security personnel over the so-called “nuclear football," a secure communications device inside an aluminum Zero Halliburton briefcase that enables the president of the United States to order a nuclear strike from virtually any location in a time of crisis. The Secret Service has denied that anyone got "tackled" during the alleged dispute, which may have occurred during President Donald Trump's visit to China in 2017, but has not said outright that the incident did not happen at all.

Read more ....

Previous Post: Chinese Security Officials Tried To Block President Trump's 'Nuclear Football' When He And His Team Visited Beijing's Great Hall Of The People In November (February 19, 2018).

WNU Editor: So no one got tackled .... but you still have to wonder if the Chinese did this on purpose.

Chinese Security Officials Tried To Block President Trump's 'Nuclear Football' When He And His Team Visited Beijing's Great Hall Of The People In November

Axios: Skirmish in Beijing over the nuclear football

On Thursday Nov. 9, when President Trump and his team visited Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Chief of Staff John Kelly and a U.S. Secret Service agent skirmished with Chinese security officials over the nuclear football.

I've spoken to five sources familiar with the events. Here's what happened, as they describe it:

* When the U.S. military aide carrying the nuclear football entered the Great Hall, Chinese security officials blocked his entry. (The official who carries the nuclear football is supposed to close to the president at all times, along with a doctor.)
* A U.S. official hurried into the adjoining room and told Kelly what was happening. Kelly rushed over and told the U.S. officials to keep walking — "We're moving in," he said — and the Americans all started moving.
* Then there was a commotion. A Chinese security official grabbed Kelly, and Kelly shoved the man’s hand off of his body. Then a U.S. Secret Service agent grabbed the Chinese security official and tackled him to the ground.

The whole scuffle was over in a flash, and the U.S. officials told about the incident were asked to keep quiet about it. Trump's team followed the normal security procedure to brief the Chinese before their visit to Beijing, according to a person familiar with the trip — but somebody at the Chinese end either didn't get the memo or decided to mess with the Americans anyway.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: It is interesting that this story is only coming out now .... three and a half months later. This reminds me of President Putin's nuclear football being stopped by the South Africans 5 years ago .... South African Guards Confront Russian President Putin's Bodyguards When Told That Their 'Nuclear' Suitcase' Must Be Put Through An X-Ray (March 28, 2013).

More News On Reports That Chinese Security Officials Tried To Block President Trump's 'Nuclear Football' When He And His Team Visited Beijing's Great Hall Of The People In November

Axios: Kelly, Secret Service agent scuffled with Chinese officials over nuclear 'football' -- The Hill
John Kelly, Chinese officials caused commotion over nuclear football in Beijing, report says -- Fox News
John Kelly and Secret Service agent scuffled with Chinese officials over nuclear ‘football’ in Beijing, report claims -- Japan Times
US and China reportedly scuffled over nuclear 'football' during Trump's Beijing visit -- CNBC
A Secret Service agent tackled a Chinese security official over the nuclear football when Trump visited China -- Business Insider
Scuffle over nuclear football during Trump's visit to China ends with tackled guard: Report -- Washington Times
John Kelly involved in November scuffle with Chinese officials after nuclear football blocked from following Trump: Report -- Washington Examiner

This Is What Will Actually Happen If President Trump Decides To Launch A Nuclear Attack

Photo: “The nuclear football,” pictured being carried by an aide Feb. 12, never leaves the president’s side. President Obama was one among millions who were mortified at the thought of Trump gaining control of nuclear war codes. At a rally last October, Obama said it was a terrible prospect. “How can you trust him with the nuclear codes? You can’t do it,” Obama said, Inquisitr.com reported Jan. 26, 2017. NukeWatch

CNN: What it actually takes to launch a nuclear strike

Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump warned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday that he has a nuclear "button" on his desk at all times and boasted that the US has "much bigger & more powerful" nuclear weapons -- a stunning threat that has once again raised questions over what it takes to actually launch a nuclear warhead.

"North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.' Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" Trump tweeted.

The image of the President with his finger on a "button" that is capable of initiating a nuclear strike has been used to symbolize the speed at which the process of such an order can be carried out for decades.

Read more ....

Update: There is NO 'nuclear button' on Trump's desk: Here's what would actually happen if the president decides to launch a nuclear attack (Daily Mail)

WNU Editor: If there is one man-made event that will forever change the world .... it will be that one hour window when some leaders of the world decide to start a nuclear war.

Is Now The Time To Get Rid Of The U.S. President’s Nuclear ‘Football’

A White House military aide and member of the US Navy carries a briefcase known as the "football," containing emergency nuclear weapon codes (AFP Photo/SAUL LOEB)

Thomas Keaney/Thomas E. Ricks, Foreign Policy: It Is High Time to Do Away With the President’s Nuclear ‘Football’

The recent Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on nuclear weapons introduced some unsettling possibilities.

The recent Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting on the authority to employ nuclear weapons brought some clarity concerning the authority and limits of employing nuclear weapons while introducing some unsettling possibilities. The occasion prompting the hearing was anything but a routine one. President Trump’s unpredictability, his frequent trading of threats to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile testing programs, and possible U.S. nuclear use in those circumstances has called into question the adequacy of checks on the procedures that had been in place since the 1950s.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I do not know what is a better alternative to the nuclear football. And I certainly do not want the Generals to decide on a nuclear response if the President and the Line of Succession are alive. My advice is to best keep it as is .... until a better idea comes around.