Speaker Johnson Supports Trump’s Nuclear Testing Vow
House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana expressed his support for President Trump’s recent announcement about potentially resuming nuclear weapons tests, the first since 1992. When asked about Trump’s comments, Johnson emphasized the importance of being prepared.
“The commander-in-chief wants us to be well prepared,” Johnson said during a press briefing Thursday morning. He argued that the U.S. remains a major world power, especially with China’s growing military capabilities. “To maintain peace globally, we must project strength,” he continued. “That’s a core belief of the president.”
Johnson further explained, “The idea that he would publicly state the need for our nuclear arsenal to be fully prepared serves as a deterrent and is a significant demonstration of our country’s strength.”
In a related development, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that his country has resumed nuclear weapons testing, having successfully tested a nuclear-powered cruise missile and an underwater drone, as of Wednesday.
Trump responded to this news on Air Force One, saying, “If they’re going to test, we’re going to have to test.”
Recent reports indicate that China has doubled its nuclear arsenal in the past five years. The Department of Defense’s estimates suggest that China might exceed 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030.
Among the nine nations possessing nuclear weapons, North Korea is the only country that has conducted tests since 1998. For over three decades, the U.S. has maintained a global moratorium on nuclear testing, only conducting scientific studies and simulations to ensure the reliability of its nuclear stockpile.
Robert Peters, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, mentioned that the Nevada National Security Facility is currently the only site suitable for such testing. Prime Minister Boris Johnson added that service members across the country are prepared to contribute to these efforts.
Johnson remarked, “I represent Barksdale Air Force Base, which plays a key role in our nuclear triad and Global Strike Command. They are ready for action, but it’s important we keep this as a consistent priority,” he said. “Having a president who recognizes the necessity of readiness sends a robust message to our global adversaries, especially at this critical juncture.”
However, peace organizations and advocates have criticized Trump’s announcement, arguing that resuming nuclear tests would be detrimental to the U.S. Darryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, warned that this move could provoke strong dissent among U.S. allies and potentially lead to further nuclear tests by adversaries, disrupting important nonproliferation treaties.
He also pointed out that restarting underground nuclear tests at Nevada’s former test site would take at least three years. His comments reflected concerns over Trump’s ambiguous statements about whether he was referring to a nuclear bomb test or an explosive missile test, noting the inconsistency of Trump’s stance between calling for denuclearization negotiations and threatening tests.
