Can the president of the United States launch a nuclear weapon without permission from Congress?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
6 Answers
Yes, but he must get cooperation from the Secretary of Defense and the generals in the Pentagon.
Theoretically they are already authorized and have been fired upon conditions being met.
It gives new meaning to the phrase “you’re fired!”
Sure. Congress has completely abdicated its Constitutional responsibility when it comes to declaring war. The last Constitutional war was World War 2.
Seems like it.
Just seems to me a US President could by himself alone order a launch for no reason and there is no one who can override his order and stop it.
Either that or I haven’t seen yet the movie showIng exactly why I’m wrong. Lol
My understanding is that the power to launch nuclear weapons rests solely with the POTUS. It takes two persons to agree…the POTUS and the Sect of Defense, but if the SoD doesn’t concur, the POTUS has the authority to fire him. This all comes from OPLAN 8010-XX (XX is the year it was last modified…most administrations will update it when the POTUS takes command).
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