Trump Orders Nuclear Tests to Resume After 33-Year U.S. Moratorium
Published Date: 30th Oct, 2025
Washington – President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Defense to prepare immediate resumption of underground nuclear explosive testing, ending a voluntary 33-year U.S. moratorium that began in 1992.
The order, issued via Truth Social at 02:14 ET on October 30 while Trump was en route from the APEC summit in Busan, cites ongoing Russian and Chinese test-site activity and the projected growth of Beijing’s arsenal to parity with Washington by 2030.
“Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. We have more than anybody.” — President Donald J. Trump
Timeline & Scope
- First test: No date specified; Nevada National Security Site infrastructure requires 18–36 months to re-certify for full-yield detonation.
- Type: Contained underground; no atmospheric or space tests planned.
- Trigger: Intelligence reports of Russian subcritical experiments at Novaya Zemlya and new shaft construction at China’s Lop Nur facility.
Strategic Context
| Nation | Active Warheads (2025 est.) | Test-Site Status |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,708 | Dormant since 1992 |
| Russia | 4,380 | Subcritical tests ongoing |
| China | 600+ | Expansion visible via satellite |
The New START treaty expires February 5, 2026, with no extension under discussion.
Immediate Reactions
- Pentagon: Spokesperson confirmed receipt of the directive; planning cell activated.
- Congress: Senate Armed Services Committee schedules closed briefing November 4. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) announced legislation to block funding.
- Allies: Japan and South Korea issued statements urging “maximum restraint.”
- Russia: Kremlin called the move “predictable but regrettable.”
- China: Foreign Ministry reiterated commitment to “no-first-use” policy without direct comment.
Technical Readiness
The National Nuclear Security Administration maintains stockpile stewardship through:
- Hydrodynamic experiments
- Laser fusion at National Ignition Facility
- Subcritical tests (last: 2021)
Officials stress that full-yield verification is needed for the W87-1 warhead slated for the Sentinel ICBM.
Market Impact (pre-market, Oct 30)
- Lockheed Martin +1.8%
- Northrop Grumman +1.4%
- iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF +1.1%
- Gold +0.7%
The White House has not indicated whether the order requires congressional notification under the Atomic Energy Act. A formal Presidential Decision Directive is expected within 72 hours.
Date: 30th Oct, 2025
