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Democratic lawmakers have urged President Joe Biden to limit the presidential authority to utilize nuclear weapons, citing concerns about Donald Trump’s impending return to the Oval Office. In a letter to Biden, Senator Ed Markey and Representative Ted Lieu argued that the current policy, which grants the president sole authority to authorize nuclear use, is “dangerous” and should be revised to require congressional approval.
The lawmakers pointed to Trump’s history of provocative statements about nuclear weapons, including a 2018 tweet in which he boasted about the size and power of his “nuclear button.” They also noted that Trump has threatened to use nuclear weapons against U.S. adversaries, sparking concerns about the potential for a nuclear conflict.
Markey and Lieu proposed that Biden announce a new policy requiring congressional authorization for any nuclear first strike, while allowing the president to respond unilaterally in the event of a nuclear attack on the United States. They argued that this change would help to prevent a nuclear war and ensure that Congress plays a more meaningful role in nuclear decision-making.
The call to limit presidential authority over nuclear weapons is not new. In 2015, Lieu proposed legislation that would have required a declaration of war from Congress before the president could use nuclear weapons. Similarly, the Union of Concerned Scientists has urged the Biden administration to adopt a policy requiring congressional approval for nuclear use.
The issue takes on added urgency given the current geopolitical landscape. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised concerns about the potential for nuclear conflict, while North Korea and Iran’s nuclear programs continue to pose a threat to regional and global security. As the United States navigates these complex challenges, lawmakers are pushing for a more cautious and collaborative approach to nuclear decision-making.
