President Joe Biden is under increasing pressure from his Democratic colleagues to restrict the president’s authority to launch nuclear weapons, a concern fueled by the potential return of Donald Trump to the Oval Office in January.
Under the current policy, the president has sole authority to launch nuclear strikes, grounded in the president’s role as the commander-in-chief. Military leaders can offer guidance, but the ultimate decision rests with the president, as highlighted in a report by the Congressional Research Service in May.
On Thursday, Senators Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Representative Ted Lieu of California sent a letter to President Biden advocating for significant changes to this policy. The lawmakers proposed that Congress should approve any nuclear weapon deployment, stressing the need for oversight to prevent unilateral decisions.
Lieu had previously introduced legislation in 2015 that called for a declaration of war by Congress before the president could authorize the use of nuclear weapons. Markey and Lieu described the current policy as “dangerous,” particularly as Trump prepares for a potential second term.
Markey and Lieu urged Biden to announce a policy prohibiting a nuclear first strike without Congressional authorization. They emphasized that such a change would not limit the president’s ability to respond unilaterally in the event of a nuclear attack.
During his first term, former President Trump made several controversial statements that raised concerns about his use of nuclear weapons. In 2018, Trump tweeted in response to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying, “I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!”
While Democrats are pushing for oversight, Republicans, including Trump, have criticized Biden’s policies, claiming that they increase the risk of nuclear conflict. At a rally in September, Trump warned, “We’re heading into World War III territory, and because of the power of weapons, nuclear weapons in particular.”
The U.S. is one of nine countries that possess nuclear weapons, alongside China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
