US Testing Threatens Global Arms Control

President Trump’s call to revive U.S. nuclear testing after 33 years has ignited fierce debate over national security and triggered an immediate legislative backlash.

Story Snapshot

Trump’s announcement marks the first presidential push for nuclear testing since 1992, raising alarms about a new global arms race.
Current plans involve only non-explosive tests, but the door remains open for live detonations pending Congressional approval.
Senate Democrats and Nevada officials are moving swiftly to restrict presidential authority and protect local communities.
Experts warn that renewed testing could erode international arms control and risk public health in Nevada.

Trump’s Nuclear Testing Revival: A Major Policy Shift

On October 30, 2025, President Donald Trump formally announced his intent for the United States to resume nuclear weapons testing, ending a voluntary pause that had lasted since 1992. Trump argued that as adversaries like Russia and China modernize their arsenals and North Korea continues its own test explosions, the U.S. must ensure its deterrent remains credible.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified on November 2 that, despite the announcement, no live nuclear detonations are currently planned. Instead, the administration has authorized non-critical system tests—simulations and subcritical experiments designed to maintain arsenal reliability without violating international norms. The Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) is the only U.S. facility capable of such activities, and the distinction between non-explosive and explosive tests is central to the ongoing debate.

Watch:

Congressional and State Pushback Intensifies

Within days of Trump’s announcement, Senate Democrats led by Nevada’s Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto introduced legislation to block any unilateral resumption of explosive nuclear testing. Their bill, the No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act, would require explicit Congressional authorization and robust scientific justification for any live detonation. Nevada’s delegation emphasized their state’s continued suffering from Cold War-era fallout, underscoring the health, environmental, and economic risks posed by renewed testing.

"The Forgotten Nuclear Weapon Tests That Trump May Seek to Revive" by William J. Broad via NYT https://t.co/4NMUUG7H76 pic.twitter.com/CAiHtDSWfA

— The Believer ™ (@maxvaldes) November 24, 2025

National Security Arguments and Expert Perspectives

The Trump administration justifies its stance by pointing to modernization efforts by Russia and China, as well as growing doubts about the long-term reliability of the U.S. stockpile. Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists and Daryl G. Kimball of the Arms Control Association argue that renewed testing would undermine global nonproliferation norms, provoke an arms race, and inflict substantial economic and social costs, especially in Nevada. Their analyses highlight how even the perception of U.S. abandonment of restraint could destabilize longstanding arms control agreements and embolden other states to follow suit.

Risks, Uncertainties, and the Road Ahead

While no live detonations are currently scheduled, the Trump administration’s posture keeps the possibility open, pending Congressional approval and funding. This uncertainty fuels domestic and international anxiety, as adversaries and allies alike watch for concrete steps. Nevada’s communities remain particularly vulnerable, given their history with radiation fallout and the NNSS’s unique role. Legislative efforts are underway, but the outcome will depend on the balance of power in Congress and the level of public engagement in the debate.

The core issue remains whether the U.S. should risk global instability and domestic harm to pursue renewed nuclear testing, or continue relying on proven scientific methods to ensure deterrence. With experts, lawmakers, and citizens weighing in, the coming months will determine if Trump’s directive remains symbolic or leads to a historic break with decades of restraint.