Democratic lawmakers Calls Grow to Limit Trump's Unilateral Authority over Nuclear Weapons

[Social Media]

 

President Joe Biden faces mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers to curb the president's unilateral authority over nuclear weapons—a move spurred by concerns about Donald Trump potentially regaining the presidency. On Thursday, Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Representative Ted Lieu of California sent a letter urging Biden to overhaul the longstanding policy that grants the sitting president sole authority to authorize nuclear strikes.  

 

Currently, the U.S. policy, as outlined in a Congressional Research Service report from May, allows the president to independently order nuclear weapon use as part of their constitutional role as commander in chief. While the president may seek advice from military leaders, those leaders are obligated to carry out the orders once issued.  

 

In their letter, Markey and Lieu emphasized the urgency of revisiting this policy, calling it "dangerous." "As Donald Trump prepares to return to the Oval Office, it is more important than ever to take the power to start a nuclear war out of the hands of a single individual and ensure that Congress' constitutional role is respected and fulfilled," they wrote.  

 

The Democratic lawmakers proposed a significant shift: requiring congressional approval before a president can initiate a nuclear strike. They argued that such a change would serve as a critical safeguard against impulsive decisions, particularly in times of international tension. "We urge you to announce that henceforth it will be the policy of the United States that it will not initiate a nuclear first strike without express authorization from Congress," their letter stated. However, they acknowledged that in the event of a nuclear attack on the U.S., the president would retain the ability to respond unilaterally.

 

Markey and Lieu framed this policy revision as an opportunity for Biden to solidify his presidential legacy. "Such a move could become an important part of your legacy," they wrote, appealing to the president's authority to enact a defining change.  

 

Concerns about Trump’s stance on nuclear weapons have persisted among Democrats since his first term in office. Trump has been vocal about his readiness to employ nuclear power, often invoking provocative rhetoric. In January 2018, he responded to a statement by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by tweeting, "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!"  

 

These concerns are not one-sided. Republicans and Trump himself have accused Biden and the Democrats of escalating nuclear tensions. During a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in September, Trump warned of imminent global conflict, stating, "We're heading into World War III territory, and because of the power of weapons, nuclear weapons in particular."  

 

As debate over nuclear authority intensifies, the stakes remain high. Neither the White House nor Trump’s team has yet commented on the Democratic lawmakers' proposals. However, as the U.S. approaches the 2024 presidential election, the issue is likely to remain a focal point in discussions about national security and executive power.  

 

Based on a report by Newsweek 2024-12-16

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

Oh boo hoo, LOSERS.

 

If this is what we can expect the next four years, the Dems are just going to make themselves look stupid.

59 minutes ago, Social Media said:

On Thursday, Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Representative Ted Lieu of California sent a letter urging Biden to overhaul the longstanding policy that grants the sitting president sole authority to authorize nuclear strikes.  

Sooooo, they want Biden to change the system before he leaves the W H for ever. So silly, as if Biden can change it without congress Trump can just change it back when he takes over, and both houses of Congress are going to be controlled by the GOP if he needs Congressional approval.

Perhaps it's because of that sort of dumb thought that they lost the presidency.

[quake]

What a laugh. how embarrassing for them all.

Bad Losers.

[biggles45]

So the Dems don't want Trump to have control but having a senile Biden, with dementia and who will just do what he is told, is fine!! 

[roquefort]

They never went to Congress to ask permission for any of their forever wars. Now they want Congressional approval for the nuclear button to be pushed?

"What's that you say, the enemy has just launched a first strike? Err....hold on General, we need to wait for a Congressional caucus to gather".

[quake]

16 minutes ago, biggles45 said:

So the Dems don't want Trump to have control but having a senile Biden, with dementia and who will just do what he is told, is fine!! 

 

I did hear, sometime last year.

The security at the white house had to wrestle the nuclear football off sleepy joe.

As he was found kicking it around the oval office, one afternoon.

Safety first sleepy joe.

 

 

[Yagoda]

Markey and Liu are notorious Leftist liars. The only ones who make a big deal of their deranged bs are their jackal like, lickspittle lackeys in the Democratic media

[thesetat]

Once again the Dems show they have no idea about what to do in the country and simply act out on things to undermine Trumps abilities when he takes office. Personally, i think they are scared to death that Dems will not be able to get into the WH again for a long time. Biden has been pushing a WW3 agenda with Russia and Ukraine for a while now. Even increasing the threats that the Ukraine can use against Russia rather than increasing the defense of Ukraine. Now, as seen this week, Russia is retaliating against the weapons Biden has authorised by targeting the infrastructure of Ukraine. But even worse, Biden has already approved even more sophisticated weapons that can be launched against Russia.. So who is the threat? Biden or Trump. In my opinion Biden is making WW3 come about for Trump to find a way to manage it. And now it seems Biden is trying to take away any threats Trump can use to get negotiations to the table making his job a lot harder and less believable to any country. 

[frank83628]

Same tired ol' BS from the sore losers

[soalbundy]

1 hour ago, roquefort said:

They never went to Congress to ask permission for any of their forever wars. Now they want Congressional approval for the nuclear button to be pushed?

"What's that you say, the enemy has just launched a first strike? Err....hold on General, we need to wait for a Congressional caucus to gather".

As opposed to, let's finish the job and totally destroy the world.

[JonnyF]

The Dems are so salty. 😃

 

They are just embarrassing themselves now.