Or, more accurately, in the hands of a small rotating group of military personnel who carry a briefcase that contains the nuclear codes.Īs Garrett Graff, who wrote a great book titled 'Raven Rock: The Inside Story of the US Government's Secret Plan to Save Itself - While the Rest of Us Die,' explained to me last year: Now, that said: The power to launch a nuclear strike does rest entirely in the hands of Trump. As a clumsy person myself, I can imagine a president accidentally bumping into it - or tripping and landing a hand on it. Practically speaking, it makes lots and lots of sense that there is no nuclear button on the president's desk. You can see that red button on the Resolute desk in this photo, which Pete Souza, former President Barack Obama's official photographer, put on Instagram on Wednesday morning. But, that button calls a valet to get what a president needs - which, according to reports, is lots of Diet Coke for Trump. Earlier in the day, though, he seemed to welcome the news that North Korea seemed willing to engage with the South, indicating it was a sign of the effectiveness of sanctions and “other” unspecified pressures.There is a red button on the Resolute desk that sits in Trump's Oval Office.

Trump responded Tuesday evening with his dangerous boast about his nuclear button. In his speech, Kim also made overtures toward South Korea, suggesting possible talks with North Korea’s neighbors to the South - a move some saw as having the potential to drive a wedge between the US and South Korean alliance. Kim described this not as a threat but as “reality,” and said he would not use it unless provoked - if “hostile aggression forces” went after the country’s interests. This exchange between two nuclear powers came after Kim Jong Un delivered a New Year’s address Monday in which he boasted about North Korea’s nuclear program, saying its missiles could reach the United States and that a nuclear button is 'always on the desk of my office.' 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!- Donald J.

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