Tucker Carlson turns on Trump: ‘Remove him immediately’ over nuclear red line

Former Trump ally says any president considering first-use nuclear weapons would be ‘unfit’ for office

Tucker Carlson has drawn an extraordinary line in the sand over Donald Trump — declaring that any president seriously considering the first use of nuclear weapons should be removed from office immediately.

The remarkable warning came during a discussion with Joe Kent, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center who resigned earlier this year in opposition to the Iran war.

Carlson made clear that this was no ordinary disagreement over foreign policy.

He said he had strongly opposed Trump's first two impeachments, but insisted that the prospect of a president actively considering nuclear first use would be an entirely different matter.

“The second any president actively considers first use of nuclear weapons, that person should be removed from office immediately,” Carlson said.

He added that anyone who tolerated such discussions would be “by definition unfit”.

Carlson draws his nuclear red line

Carlson's intervention comes as the Iran war continues and Washington reviews its nuclear strategy.

He has repeatedly criticised Trump's approach to the conflict and argued that increasingly aggressive rhetoric could push the United States towards a dangerous escalation.

But there is a crucial distinction.

There is no public evidence that Trump has ordered or authorised preparations for a nuclear strike against Iran.

Nor does the Pentagon's current nuclear review amount to a new American policy of first use.

Instead, officials say the review is intended to ensure the president has credible nuclear options for deterrence and for responding to potential regional crises.

The tactical nuclear debate

Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby has described the review as an effort to provide “credible, rational nuclear options”.

Reports indicate that shorter-range, lower-yield tactical nuclear weapons are among the possibilities being examined.

That does not mean the United States is preparing to use them.

But critics argue that weapons designed for supposedly limited battlefield use could make nuclear warfare appear more manageable — and potentially lower the threshold for using them.

That is the territory Carlson is warning about.

A remarkable break with Trump

Carlson's comments carry particular weight because he has previously been one of Trump's most prominent conservative supporters and opposed attempts to remove the president from office.

Now he has established a red line that could put him directly at odds with the White House.

Carlson is not calling for Trump's removal simply because of the Iran war.

His warning is considerably narrower.

If a president were to actively consider using nuclear weapons first, Carlson believes that would make him unfit to remain in office.

Joe Kent similarly warned that pursuing regime change in Iran could eventually leave Washington with fewer conventional options and increase pressure for more extreme measures.

Another crack in MAGA

The intervention highlights the growing divisions inside Trump's wider political coalition over the Iran conflict.

Carlson has increasingly positioned himself against America's involvement in another prolonged foreign war, while the Trump administration continues to insist that its military and nuclear policies are intended to protect American interests and strengthen deterrence.

For Carlson, however, there is a line that cannot be crossed.

Nuclear first use is it.

Whether that warning develops into a wider revolt among Trump's supporters remains to be seen.

For now, one of Trump's most recognisable former allies has delivered an extraordinary message: if the president ever seriously considers going nuclear first, Carlson says he should be removed immediately.

SOURCE

I hate it when I agree with Tucker.

There be be more Trump supporters changing sides when they realise what

is going to happen in November , Trump is only going to be left with his staunch

cult members ,when they realise he is a lame duck President

regards worgeordie

1 minute ago, worgeordie said:

There be be more Trump supporters changing sides when they realise what

is going to happen in November , Trump is only going to be left with his staunch

cult members ,when they realise he is a lame duck President

regards worgeordie

You mean when they realize his is a lame <rhymes with duck> President?

Over the next 2 1/2 years there is a good possibility that he will suffer some sort of major health issue.

41 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

There be be more Trump supporters changing sides when they realise what

is going to happen in November , Trump is only going to be left with his staunch

cult members ,when they realise he is a lame duck President

regards worgeordie

With a loser many slip away silently.

Carlson is simply speaking truth as he sees it, Trump is no doubt a clear and present danger to the National Security of America as well as the world. He's highly unstable, he's semi senile, he's insane, and he's unhinged, and nobody knows what he's going to do next. That is the polar opposite of stability, which is what the world desperately needs right now.

He needs to be removed and it needs to happen quickly. Hopefully the dams will be in a position to impeach the pig by next year. There's also a chance that if he loses both the house and the senate he'll either kill himself or resign.

One way or the other it would be good riddance and billions around the world would celebrate the absence of the most toxic and incompetent president in the history of America.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

I hate it when I agree with Tucker.

Yes..........I'm even starting to warm to the guy.

Just now, MIke B Bad said:

Yes..........I'm even starting to warm to the guy.

For me. never.

I expect TC will be in the news more and more.

It's the big game. He wants to be president. Not that his assessment of Trump is wrong though.

Is there a name for when they start eating each other ?

10 minutes ago, Jim Blue said:

Is there a name for when they start eating each other ?

Survival. GOP appears to be entering survival mode. The Right ate the Republicans and now the New Right is coming for them. Tucker, J.D., and the lot have different ideas of where the GOP should be, and it ain't the old guard.

6 hours ago, worgeordie said:

There be be more Trump supporters changing sides when they realise what

is going to happen in November , Trump is only going to be left with his staunch

cult members ,when they realise he is a lame duck President

regards worgeordie

He's not "changing sides". He will not be endorsing any Democrat candidate or politician. He's carving himself a new side. In the old days, he's a "splittist"/ But at the same time, lining his pockets.

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Carlson is simply speaking truth as he sees it, Trump is no doubt a clear and present danger to the National Security of America as well as the world. He's highly unstable, he's semi senile, he's insane, and he's unhinged, and nobody knows what he's going to do next. That is the polar opposite of stability, which is what the world desperately needs right now.

He needs to be removed and it needs to happen quickly. Hopefully the dams will be in a position to impeach the pig by next year. There's also a chance that if he loses both the house and the senate he'll either kill himself or resign.

One way or the other it would be good riddance and billions around the world would celebrate the absence of the most toxic and incompetent president in the history of America.

Really, so what truth was it when Carlson interviewed Putin, or toured a Russian supermarket saying how great it was?

If the President is removed now, then automatically Vance is crowned President. He will have the right to present himself as for nomination as Republican Presidential candidate, but it would be a fairly incredible thing for him to seek nomination but not get it. You need to go back to 1952, and Alben Barkley, Truman's VP, being the example of a sitting VP seeking nomination by his party, failing to get it. Barkley failed due to age. Its never happened with a Republican party candidate. People mention Rubio as a contender, but unless he leaves the cabinet (by way of protest resignation), if there is an alternative to Vance in the Republican party, it will be someone outside of the current government.

If Vance is nominated, and is elected, he can't seek re-election if he became President before these coming mid-terms. He can seek a second term though if Trump is removed, stands down or other after these November elections.

Despise them both but Carlson the lesser of two weevils.

6 hours ago, earlinclaifornia said:

With a loser many slip away silently.

Like you did after kamala lost?

So the US is doing what Russia did, review its nuclear policy with an eye on Iran. Who'd have thought it? Lol.

I do like Tucker Carlson too, very decent guy, not stupid and comes from a very illustrious family. Good breeding.

7 hours ago, worgeordie said:

There be be more Trump supporters changing sides when they realise what

is going to happen in November , Trump is only going to be left with his staunch

cult members ,when they realise he is a lame duck President

regards worgeordie

Tucker Carlson is irrelevant. He has gone to the dark side and wants to cause division and make a name for himself after getting kicked off Fox. And this Trump supporter/cult member will never change sides as long as President Trump keeps Making America Great Again.

2 minutes ago, Screaming said:

Tucker Carlson is irrelevant. He has gone to the dark side and wants to cause division and make a name for himself after getting kicked off Fox. And this Trump supporter/cult member will never change sides as long as President Trump keeps Making America Great Again.

I guess that means you would support Trump using a first-strike nuke, which only goes to prove you have gone to the dark side.

It seems some in America have begun to suspect that doubling the stakes endlessly and without thinking, as before, is no longer feasible. The world has become a little more complex.

7 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I hate it when I agree with Tucker.

what??? that's a very weak stand point!!!

Any president that's not able to decide to use such a weapon shouldn't be president!!!

If we have a president that is scared that is not good. We need a president that understands the great risk of using such a weapon, but still has the

discipline to use the weapon even first if needed.

I'm not saying a president should go around threatening other countries, but they should know that if push comes to shove the president will take any and every action needed to protect the USA!

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Carlson is simply speaking truth as he sees it, Trump is no doubt a clear and present danger to the National Security of America as well as the world. He's highly unstable, he's semi senile, he's insane, and he's unhinged, and nobody knows what he's going to do next. That is the polar opposite of stability, which is what the world desperately needs right now.

He needs to be removed and it needs to happen quickly. Hopefully the dams will be in a position to impeach the pig by next year. There's also a chance that if he loses both the house and the senate he'll either kill himself or resign.

One way or the other it would be good riddance and billions around the world would celebrate the absence of the most toxic and incompetent president in the history of America.

None of that actually addresses Carlson’s argument. It is just a long list of insults, speculation and even a rather disgusting hope that Trump might kill himself.

The real question is whether a president should automatically be removed merely for considering the first use of nuclear weapons. I say no!!

Considering every available option is part of the job. That does not mean using nuclear weapons recklessly, it means an enemy must believe the United States will act if its survival or people face an extreme threat.

Any president who publicly rules out options under every possible circumstance may actually make conflict more likely by weakening the deterrence.

15 minutes ago, ericthai said:

Considering every available option is part of the job. That does not mean using nuclear weapons recklessly, it means an enemy must believe the United States will act if its survival or people face an extreme threat.

Please enlighten us under the threat of which countries the US is?

Canada.

10 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Canada.

From the same guy who in other posts claims that Canada is an easy walkover because they have no army

4 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

From the same guy who in other posts claims that Canada is an easy walkover because they have no army

Canada is a hostile neighbour. As they showed with their hostile attitude over Lake America. That's why a preemptive strike against Canada would make so much sense.

11 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

That's why a preemptive strike against Canada would make so much sense.

Sounds like i need to head south of the border. Quebec crossing is probably best.

I hear they are looking for workers outside home depot. Cha ching.

Mark Carney made a heroic effort at resistance

Carney is an incompetent clown who's dragging Canada into a recession, mass unemployment and a falling Dollar.

Unbelievable how incompetent Carney is.

12 hours ago, blaze master said:

Like you did after kamala lost?

Yes