Washington, October 31, 2025 – In a stark reversal of decades-long U.S. policy, President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States will resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time since 1992, directing the Pentagon to "immediately start the process" to ensure America's arsenal remains unmatched amid escalating global threats from rivals like China and Russia. The provocative directive, delivered during a White House press briefing on national security, has ignited fierce debate among arms control experts, allies, and lawmakers, who warn it could unravel international non-proliferation efforts and spark a new arms race.
Trump, flanked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, framed the move as essential deterrence in an era of "unfair" global dynamics. "For 33 years, we've been playing nice while China and Russia test their bombs like it's a hobby. No more. We're going to test on an equal basis—big, beautiful tests to keep our stockpile safe and strong," Trump declared, gesturing emphatically as aides nodded in approval. He cited intelligence reports of recent Russian hypersonic missile trials and China's expansion of its nuclear silo fields as justification, adding, "If they can do it, we can do it better. America's back, and we're not falling behind."
The last U.S. nuclear test—a subcritical experiment at the Nevada Test Site—occurred on September 23, 1992, under President George H.W. Bush, capping a Cold War-era program that detonated over 1,000 devices since 1945. Since then, the U.S. has adhered to a voluntary moratorium, relying on computer simulations, laboratory experiments, and the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)—which the Senate ratified in 1999 but the U.S. has yet to fully implement. Trump's order would effectively sideline these commitments, potentially withdrawing from the CTBT and resuming full-scale underground explosions at sites like Nevada's Yucca Mountain.
A Logistical Hurdle and Policy Earthquake
Implementation won't be swift. A recent Congressional Research Service report estimates it could take 24 to 36 months to prepare and conduct the first test, involving upgrades to aging infrastructure, environmental assessments, and congressional appropriations—likely exceeding $1 billion initially. The Pentagon has already been tasked with a classified review, with Hegseth confirming "preparatory work begins today" but declining to specify timelines or yields.
The announcement sent shockwaves through Washington and beyond. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) decried it as "reckless saber-rattling that endangers the world," vowing to block funding in the upcoming defense bill. On the Republican side, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) praised the pivot, tweeting, "Finally, real leadership. Time to modernize and deter." Internationally, the move drew swift condemnation: UN Secretary-General António Guterres called it a "dangerous step backward," while China's Foreign Ministry accused Trump of "hypocrisy" given U.S. criticism of Beijing's arsenal growth.
Arms control advocates expressed alarm over proliferation risks. "This isn't just testing—it's a signal to every rogue state that the taboo is broken," said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, noting that nations like Iran and North Korea could cite U.S. actions to justify their programs. Even within Trump's orbit, unease lingers: Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security chief of staff from his first term, revealed on CNN that Trump once "fantasized" about detonating nukes during private briefings, leaving aides "scared" by his enthusiasm.
Trump's nuclear rhetoric isn't new; during his 2017-2021 presidency, he modernized the arsenal via the $1.7 trillion Nuclear Posture Review and mused about arsenal expansion. But this escalates that legacy, aligning with his "peace through strength" doctrine amid tensions over Ukraine aid and Taiwan Strait maneuvers. Proponents argue testing would validate warhead reliability without full rebuilds, potentially saving billions long-term.
As the sun sets on a city abuzz with leaked memos and urgent Hill briefings, Trump's gambit hangs like a mushroom cloud over U.S. foreign policy. Will it restore deterrence or ignite proliferation? For now, the world watches—and waits—for the first boom in over three decades.
This report is based on White House statements, expert analyses, and official reactions as of October 31, 2025.
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