Trump directs nuclear weapons testing to resume for first time in over 30 years

October 30, 2025

President Donald Trump has instructed the Department of Defense to resume nuclear weapons testing, citing testing programs by Russia and China as justification for ending the US moratorium that has been in place since 1992. Trump made the announcement via social media before meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, though he did not clarify whether he meant testing nuclear explosions or delivery systems. The decision represents a significant reversal of decades-long US policy and comes shortly after Russia tested new nuclear-capable weapons systems, though those tests did not involve actual nuclear detonations.

Who is affected

US military leaders and the Department of Defense
President Donald Trump
Chinese President Xi Jinping
Russia (the Kremlin and President Putin)
Nevada residents (particularly those near the former Nevada Test Site)
US allies globally
Arms control organizations (Arms Control Association, Federation of American Scientists)
Opposition Democrats, including Representative Dina Titus
Countries party to nuclear treaties and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
Nuclear powers including Russia, China, France, United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea

What action is being taken

President Trump has instructed the Department of Defense (referred to as "Department of War" in his post) to start testing nuclear weapons
Russia is denying it conducted nuclear tests
China is calling on the US to fulfill its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
Representative Dina Titus stated she will be introducing legislation to stop the nuclear testing

Why it matters

This announcement is significant because it marks a potential end to the 33-year US moratorium on nuclear testing that has been in place since 1992. The decision could trigger a chain reaction of nuclear testing by other nations, potentially undermining the global nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and decades of arms control efforts. The timing is particularly critical as it comes approximately 100 days before the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New Start) in February 2026, the last remaining nuclear arms treaty between the US and Russia. Arms control experts warn this could destabilize international security, damage relationships with US allies, and face strong domestic opposition, particularly from Nevada where testing would likely occur.

What's next

Nuclear test sites will be determined later, according to Trump's statement on Air Force One
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New Start) will expire in February 2026
Representative Dina Titus plans to introduce legislation to stop the nuclear testing
Experts note it would take the US at least 36 months to restart underground nuclear tests at the former Nevada test site if authorized

Read full article from source: BBC