Special Poll
Democratic lawmakers are urging President Joe Biden to reconsider the current policy granting the president sole authority to authorize the use of nuclear weapons, as concerns grow over the possibility of Donald Trump returning to office. This appeal reflects a broader debate about the balance of power and the role of Congress in such critical decisions.
Under the existing system, the president, as commander in chief, holds the exclusive authority to order a nuclear strike. A May report from the Congressional Research Service describes this power as “inherent” in the president’s constitutional duties. While the president may consult military leaders for advice, those leaders are obligated to carry out the president’s orders once issued.
Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Representative Ted Lieu of California, both Democrats, wrote to Biden urging him to change the policy. They proposed requiring congressional approval before the president could use nuclear weapons, except in cases where the U.S. has already been attacked. Lieu previously introduced legislation in 2015 that sought to mandate a declaration of war from Congress before a president could authorize the use of nuclear weapons.
In their letter, Markey and Lieu called the current policy “dangerous,” emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue. They wrote, “As Donald Trump prepares to return to the Oval Office, it is more important than ever to take the power to start a nuclear war out of the hands of a single individual and ensure that Congress’ constitutional role is respected and fulfilled.”
The lawmakers urged Biden to establish a new U.S. policy stating that the president cannot launch a nuclear first strike without congressional authorization. They argued that such a change would not only strengthen democratic oversight but also form a significant part of Biden’s legacy. The proposed policy would still allow the president to respond unilaterally in the event of a nuclear attack on the U.S.
This push to reform nuclear launch protocols underscores concerns about the potential risks of concentrating such immense power in one individual’s hands, regardless of who holds the office.