In a wide-ranging interview with Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain, President Trump said that he’s ready to press the nuclear button if and when the time comes.
When asked if he would negotiate with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to avoid war, Trump said “Of course. I’ve said that and he’s said that. I know so much about nuclear weapons and I see the horrible damage done. I don’t want that.”
Morgan then asked Trump if he would press the nuclear button, to which Trump replied: “I think it’s a terrible responsibility but one I’m prepared to handle,” adding “I don’t want to have to think about it, but there may be a time when I do have to think about it.”
My take: This is probably just a signal to Iran that he’s serious, like when Reagan joked on an open mike that “we begin bombing” Russia in five minutes. But still, I get kind of nervous about the idea.
Nukes are the last resort, but you never admit to never using a weapon in your arsenal otherwise you’ve just rendered it worthless as both a weapon AND a bargaining tool.
That’s what all of our adversaries have been trying to get every president since Truman to commit to: “no, I won’t use nukes” or at the very least “I won’t be the first to use them”. Either answer renders the threat useless.
The rest of the world is still mindful that the US still remains the only country to use them. And they view someone as unhinged as Trump (or Ronnie-raygun) as a legitimate threat.
I agree that was about the best or only answer that he could give. But if Obama said it “oh that’s just perfect and wise” but since Trump said it, "oh he’s such a bellicose neanderthal warmonger ". Pffft…
I am against EVER using them first. However, I believe that using them in retaliation is a MUST. I don’t give a shit what our “conventional” capabilities are, if one is sent our way the offender gets canned sunshine in return. And if it is our civilian population that is targeted, then theirs is too but ten-fold.
I think he said exactly what he should have said. No President should ever want to use nukes. But every President should be prepared to use nukes if they have to.
Thats a better answer than some diplomatic BS response the doesn’t even mean anything. Whats he supposed say? No I won’t use them even if America is getting nuked?
When I was a kid, my Dad told me never be the first one to throw a punch.
That didn’t serve me well and until I decided he was wrong, I took a couple serious beatings.
School yard fights and nukes are different, but never say never.
Im all for nukes! Nukes restores balance, gives meaning, a different perspective and a sense of purpose for those being nuked! Look at Japan, we nuked them, twice, and our relationship couldn’t be any better. Stronger than ever, like BFF’s. Now look at all the nations we didn’t nuke! They hate us, disrespect us, treat us like shit and take advantage of us. We can bring a sense of unity and admiration to this world with a simple nuke!
LOL
Yeah way to make America great again, bruh!
Openly threatening (with nukes, no less) a nation half the world away that:
a) isn’t flagrantly violating your territorial sovereignty by pumping “immigrants” across your vast unprotected./shoddily protected border
b) isn’t actively building mosques, training and sending the most rabid Jihadist imams to said mosques to further agitate and wage Jihad (of both the legal and illegal variety)
Meanwhile Mexico and Saudi Arabia, respectively, are doing both those things.
But I guess Mexico and Saudi Arabia aren’t rivals and ancient hated tribal enemies of Our Greatest Ally, so policy will be tailored accordingly.
I don’t think Pres. Trump is threatening anybody. I think he was asked about them, and said the only thing a President should say: “We don’t want to, but if it comes down to it, and we must, I am capable of doing so.” As has been mentioned, it was basically the best thing he could have said. You can’t say you’d never use them as they then become worthless and no longer a deterrent.
what should he say NO we will never use them I would never use them ?
reckon every president says they are ready to use cause that is part of the job if he said I WANT to use them that would be scary
if I ask you are you going to die ? you can only answer that with yes nothing else cause no other answer exists ? the president IMHO has the same no other answer can exist for the US
to use them first or not ? glad we as a country did use them first saved a lot of lives and folks learned a lot
there is NO definitive answer (and should not be) to when and how