Energy Secretary Chris Wright revealed on Sunday that the United States will not be testing nuclear explosions, ending speculation on the subject.
“I think the tests we’re talking about right now are system tests,” Wright said in a Fox News interview. “These are not nuclear explosions. These are what we call non-critical explosions.”
“The testing that we’ll be doing is on new systems, and again, these will be non-nuclear explosions. These are just developing these sophisticated systems so that our replacement nuclear weapons are even better than the ones they were before,” he explained, adding, “They’re reliable in all circumstances, under all conditions, and they deliver the performance they were designed for.”
Wright’s comments follow President Trump directing the Pentagon to begin conducting nuclear weapons tests.
“The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office,” Trump wrote on Truth Social last week. “Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.”
“Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” he declared.
When asked by reporters if nuclear tests would be dangerous, President Trump said, “I don’t think so. I think we have it pretty well locked up.”
The president’s statement came as Russia announced it carried out tests of its Burevestnik nuclear-powered unlimited-range cruise missile, which Russian President Vladimir Putin called a “unique weapon that no other country possesses.”
