Following the tweeting and counter- tweeting between North Korea President, Kim Jong Un and United States of America President, Donald Trump, with the latter boasting about how his “nuclear button” is bigger, many wonders if Donald Trump can launch such an attack and astonishingly, all it takes are Biscuits and Footballs.
On January 20, 2017, during the Trump’s inauguration, a military aide who accompanied outgoing President Barack Obama, carrying a leather briefcase, moved to Trump’s side after the incoming President took his oath of office.
The briefcase, otherwise known as the ‘Nuclear Football’, is required to fire US nuclear weapons and theoretically, never leaves the President’s side, not even when he plays golf.
The nuclear Footballs and Biscuits
Contained within the briefcase are communication tools and books with read-made war plans, designed for quick decision making.
Meanwhile, the Biscuit, supposedly with the President at all times, is a card containing identification codes. The President uses these codes to identify himself when ordering an attack.
Upon assumption of Presidential duties, Trump was asked by ABC News how it felt to receive the biscuit, he said;
“When they explain what it represents, and the kind of destruction that you’re talking about, it is a very sobering moment.
“It’s very, very scary, in a sense”.
Former US President, Bill Clinton, admitted to losing the Biscuits on the morning the Lewinsky scandal broke.
Just like in the movies, only the President can launch nuclear strikes
After the President’s identity has been confirmed, he passes his order to the highest-ranking US military officer who is also the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The order is sent to the US Strategic Command Headquarters in Offutt Airbase, Nebraska, who then passes it to “on the ground” teams.
The final order to fire is transmitted via codes matching the ones locked in the launch team’s safes.
The President, being the Commander-in-Chief of the US military, must be obeyed, but only when it is legal.
For the first time in 40 years, in November, Congress examined the President’s order to launch a nuclear attack.
