Trump Orders Pentagon to Resume U.S. Nuclear Weapons Testing After 33 Years

U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to resume testing of U.S. nuclear weapons, ending a 33-year hiatus. The announcement came shortly before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

Trump revealed the decision on Truth Social while aboard Marine One, writing:

“Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.”

He added, “Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.”

A senior Russian lawmaker said the move signalled the start of “a new era of unpredictability and open confrontation.” China’s Foreign Ministry urged the United States to respect its moratorium on nuclear testing and safeguard global stability.

It was not immediately clear whether Trump’s order referred to explosive nuclear testing—overseen by the National Nuclear Security Administration—or to flight testing of nuclear-capable missiles. No nation except North Korea has conducted an explosive nuclear test in over 25 years.

Speaking later aboard Air Force One, Trump said renewed testing was needed to ensure the United States keeps pace with its nuclear rivals.

“With others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also,”

he said, noting that testing sites would be selected later.

Asked if this marked a more dangerous phase in nuclear relations, he replied,

“I’d like to see a denuclearisation because we have so many and Russia’s second and China’s third and China will catch up within four or five years.”

The decision follows recent advancements in Russian and Chinese nuclear programs. China’s arsenal has reportedly doubled in the past five years to about 600 warheads and could surpass 1,000 by 2030.

The announcement drew swift criticism. Representative Dina Titus said,

“I’ll be introducing legislation to put a stop to this.”

Daryl Kimball of the Arms Control Association warned the move could

“trigger a chain reaction of nuclear testing by U.S. adversaries, and blow apart the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

The United States last conducted a nuclear test in 1992, marking the end of decades of active testing.